Influence of the thermal environment on the stingless bee foraging activity: A mini-review

Abstract

In tropical environments, stingless bees are an important group of pollinators, helping to maintain plant biodiversity and, consequently, to preserve ecosystems. The foraging activity of these insects is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. Although air temperature limits activities outside the hive, the natural thermal environment is complex; meteorological variables interact with each other, requiring elaborate thermoregulatory responses from bees. The complexity of the thermal environment has been the subject of recent research on insect thermoregulation. The effects of wind and especially solar radiation should be considered when studying the behavior of stingless bees. In this context, this mini-review aimed to address the main components of the thermal environment that influence the foraging activity of stingless bees.