Análise de mel e de potes de pólen de Scaptotrigona postica (Latreille, 1807) do meliponário da Universidade Federal de Goiás

Abstract

Stingless bees of the subfamily Meliponinae play a fundamental role in pollination and in the maintenance of biodiversity, relying on nectar and pollen as their main sources of energy and protein. Melissopalynology is an important tool for understanding interactions between bees and plants, as it allows the identification of the botanical origin of the resources used and the characterization of local flora. This study aimed to describe the pollen types present in honey and pollen pot samples of Scaptotrigona postica (Latreille, 1807) from a meliponary located at the Federal University of Goiás, in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. The samples were subjected to acetolysis and analyzed under light microscopy, with a total count of 2,400 pollen grains following standardized methodology. Different pollen types were identified, with a predominance of the family Fabaceae in both honey and pollen pot samples, followed by Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, and Anacardiaceae, varying according to sample type. The results indicate variation in the use of floral resources and highlight the generalist foraging behavior of the species, with preference for certain botanical families. This study contributes to knowledge of the local flora and the foraging behavior of Scaptotrigona postica (Latreille, 1807), and reinforces the importance of vegetation conservation and sustainable meliponiculture practices.