Characterization of nest structure, thermoregulation of hive and melissopalynology of geniotrigona thoracica smith (hymenoptera: apidae; meliponini)

The study on stingless bee nest structure of selected species brings benefit to meliponiculture. Meliponiculture is an activity of stingless bee keeping. Geniotrigona thoracica, is one of the largest stingless bee in Malaysia and has economic potential used in meliponiculture. The objectives of this study are to determine nest structure and nest dynamics, foraging activity and morphometry of worker bee; determine hive temperature and analyses thermoregulation ability; identify pollen types in honey, types of honey produced and pollen calendar of G. thoracica. Colonies (n=3) of G. thoracica were used in study of nest structure and nest dynamics, foraging activity and morphometry study of worker bee, thermoregulation and melissopalynology, analysis of pollen in honey. Sampling was done from July 2013 until June 2014 for nest dynamics and foraging activity, thermoregulation and melissopalynology. For morphometry study, worker bees were sampled from each nest for five months, from February 2014 until June 2014. Result showed external nest structure formed in brown mount shape and the internal nest formed by three components, horizontal brood combs that surround with honey pots and pollen pots. The nest dynamics of G. thoracica changes according to the season. The peak time foraging activity of G. thoracica was in between 1000 hrs until 1200 hrs. From morphometry study of worker bee, showed there was significant difference, p < 0.05 of anatomy parts in five months of sampling. This morphometry study also showed that G. thoracica having high flight cost than aggressive cost. The result showed that G. thoracica does not have ability to thermoregulate, where there was no significant difference p > 0.05 between hive and ambient temperature. Then, the melissopalynology study showed that there were 30 pollen grains were present in sample of G. thoracica honey and there was no significant difference, p > 0.05 between types of pollen present in honey throughout a year. Furthermore, from this melissopalynology study, two types of honey produced by G. thoracica were unifloral and multifloral in different month throughout a year. In conclusion, nest characterization, thermoregulation ability and melissopalynology of G. thoracica were determined.