Manejo e manipulação artificial de colônias de Melipona quadrifasciata Lep. (Apidae: Meliponinae)

Abstract

Three methods of division of Melipona quadrifasciata Lep. colonies were evaluated: fisogastric queen naturally mated; orphans colonies, and queen mated in laboratory. Out of six colonies, five had grade 7 in 221 days, reaching 83,3% of success, in the 1st method. Out of four, 100% were formed using the 2nd method, in 221 days, and 71,4% out of seven colonies were formed with grade 7 in 195 days using the 3rd method. All colonies were treated with Syrup-A; the same management and same system of evaluation. Colonies obtained were described performance by the following mathematic models: Grade1 = 1.202 + 0.262 x reading; Grade2 = 1.474 + 0.250 x reading and Grade3 = 1.406 + 0.287 x reading. The 3rd method was the best considering time of the colonies development; however, it consumed more labor and laboratory equipments.