Atividades de vôo de Plebeia saiqui (Holmberg) (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) durante o período de postura da rainha e em diapausa

Abstract

The activities of four colonies of Plebeia saiqui (Holmberg, 1903), of São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were studied from October, 1998 to September. 1999, comparatively during the oviposition period and the diapause. The construction of the cells was monitored by direct observation of the nests. The duration of the diapause period varied from 76 to 168 days. Monthly, the bees that left and entered were counted for 10 minutes, at each hour, during the complete period of flight activity. Influence of meteorological factors on the activities of bees flight was analyzed through simple and multiple regressions. During the oviposition period was found that solar irradiation, temperature and relative humidity had a significant influence on bees flight activity. However, during the diapausa only solar irradiation and temperature played significant influence on bees flight activity. The wind never influenced in a significant way on the flight of the bees.