Flower visits, nesting and nest defence behaviour of stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini): Suitability of the bee species for meliponiculture in the Argentinean Chaco region

Abstract

Four bionomical features are here described for the seven stingless bees that inhabit a new meliponine beekeeping area: the Argentinean Chaco region. The most commonly visited plants were of herbaceous habits, predominantly had flowers of white/creamy to yellowish colour, with small-sized flowers and were of moderate mass-flowering degree. Lestrimelitta chacoana was the only robber species. The most commonly found nesting substrate was large living tree trunks, and most nests were found at the base of the trunks. Sometimes, nesting substrates and floral resources were provided by the same woody plant. Cryptic small- to medium-sized cerumen tube-like unornamented nest entrances were the most commonly found. Nest defence included aggressive (Scaptotrigona jujuyensis) and docile behaviour; the latter was classified into timid and non-timid. A key to identify the Meliponini fauna of this region is provided. The regional pattern of bionomical features seems to be associated with subtropical climate conditions. The majority of these bee species are suitable for Meliponiculture in the Chaco region.