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Abstract
In a short-term study of the foraging behavior of competing bees, European Apis mellifera (Apinae) foraged more opportunistically than Trigona corvina (Meliponinae). Experimental removal of a large portion of the available Baltimora recta (Compositae) which both bees visited caused a 44% increase in Apis within adjacent study plots of Baltimora and only a 17% increase in Trigona. However, analysis of variance showed that the mean number of Apis within study plots increased but that of Trigona did not during three days following experimental removal of plants. Apis visited three flowers in 15.1 seconds, compared to 25.6 seconds for Trigona. Trigona corvina foraged in groups, and individuals occasionally attacked Apis, with no discernible effect. It is suggested that the flexible foraging behavior of A. mellifera gives it a competitive advantage compared to T. corvina when resources become more scarce.
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Copyright (c) 1981 Revista de Biología Tropical