COLONY DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STINGLESS BEE SCAPTOTRIGONA AFF. POSTICA (APIDAE, MELIPONINI) IN DIFFERENT HIVE MODELS

Meliponiculture, i.e. the management and propagation of stingless bees is an old activity throughout the Americas, and is widely practiced in Brazil. However, since stingless bee keeping is still not entirely standardized, studies are necessary to achieve a better practice. For example, the type of hive used in breeding must be designed for ease of colony management and be suitable for each species, as size, behavior, and nest architecture vary among the meliponines. This study tested the use of a vertical hive for breeding an undescribed species of the group Scaptotrigona postica (Latreille), Scaptotrigona aff. postica, and evaluated characteristics such as colony development and management in comparison to colonies bred using traditional horizontal hives. Ten colonies of the studied species were used, five transferred to each hive type tested. During six months, monthly observations of colony size, hive occupation and hive management were made. Brood comb area, contrasting with the other parameters, was approximately twice as large in vertical hives compared to horizontal hives. No significant difference in hive occupation was found among the tested models. Management differences were found among the two hive models, with vertical hives noted for having characteristics that facilitated colony inspection and division, causing only minor damage to the nest structures. Thus, the vertical model hive has clear advantages for the keeping of the studied Scaptotrigona species.