Effect of climate seasonality and vegetation cover on floral resource selection by two stingless bee species

The response of two stingless bees (Tetragonisca angustula and Melipona eburnea) to changes in vegetation cover was evaluated on seasonal spatial scales. Seasonal variation analysed for 15 months, with monthly melitopalinological assessments hives located three different covers: forests, fallows, grasslands, the Colombian Central Cordillera. Fallows, an intermediate disturbance degree, presented highest pollen taxa richness both bee species (33 40 M. eburnea T. angustula, respectively). Both a high preference plant families Melastomataceae, Sapindaceae, Peraceae. Miconia minutiflora Mi. prasina (Melastomataceae) were most selected species, alternation their use between dry wet seasons. Clethra spp., Pera arborea, Ilex laureola also highly by species. showed higher values during season, when largest number flowered. Despite being polylectic, periods, which reflected greater amplitude trophic niche compared eburnea. typical plants forest environments, enhancing meliponiculture as economically sustainable practice that can promote conservation maintenance interactions.