NEST FOUNDATION AND DIVERSITY OF MELIPONINI (HYMENOPTERA, APIDAE) IN AN URBAN AREA OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF JUIZ DE FORA, MG, BRAZIL

Abstract

During the period of March of 2000 to July of 2001, we monthly sensed new nests foundation of the Meliponini bees in an urban environment, Juiz de Fora, MG. The number of nests and substrata used for foundation was registered. The objective was to verify the diversity and some aspects of the habits of new nests. The average per month was 34,88 nests. The density calculated was 1/3,80 nest/ha. Four species: Nannotrigona testaceicornis (63,93%), Tetragonisca angustula (24,46%), Trigona spinipes (6,74%) and Partamona sp. (4,87%) were identified. There was positive correlation (r=0,6187, p=0,0081) between the temperature and abundance of nests. Partamona sp., N. testaceicornis and T. angustula species presented preference for human buildings (100,0%, 88,65% and 37,2%) and T. spinipes founded exclusively in trees. The results suggest that these species have a high capacity to habituate to the environment offered by the urbanization process. UNITERMS: Stingless bees, Meliponini, Nest Foundation, Density of Nests, Urban environment.