Apropriação e Consolidação de Novas Cavidades por Melipona scutellaris em Ambiente Urbano: Evidências Comportamentais, Microclimáticas e Endoscópicas de um Estudo Longitudinal

Longitudinal, audiovisual, and observational dataset documenting the progressive appropriation and functional consolidation of artificial cavities by two established colonies of Melipona scutellaris (Apidae: Meliponini) in an urban environment at the EBVAN observatory (Bezerros, Pernambuco, Brazil). The dataset covers 30 consecutive days of experimental monitoring and integrates 98 original audiovisual records (approximately 33 GB) with a comprehensive daily experimental logbook, environmental observations, microclimatic measurements, and non-destructive nocturnal endoscopic inspection of the experimental cavities. Two experimental configurations were investigated. In Experiment A, a daughter cavity was physically connected to the mother colony via a transparent artificial duct. In Experiment B, an inducer cavity was provided without direct physical connection to the mother colony. The audiovisual records document the progressive sequence of cavity usage, including exploration, entrance inspection, guarding behavior, building material transport, entrance modification, usage and subsequent reduction of traffic through the artificial duct, and the progressive structural transformation of the experimental cavities. Longitudinal records also document behavioral activity during periods of reduced external flight, including the nocturnal presence of workers, wing fanning compatible with ventilation, and territorial exclusion behavior. Environmental observations include temperature, relative humidity, and, starting from the final phase of the study, three-point anemometric measurements. Non-destructive nocturnal endoscopic inspection provided direct evidence of internal architectural modifications, including cerumen structures, resinous material deposition, entrance restriction structures, and worker activity inside the experimental cavities. A particular feature of this dataset is the complete daily experimental logbook maintained throughout the 30-day study. The logbook provides the primary chronological record of observations, environmental conditions, experimental events, and cross-references to the corresponding audiovisual files, allowing individual media files to be interpreted within their original experimental context. The dataset includes a master metadata table, in both CSV and PDF formats, associating each of the 98 audiovisual records with its respective date, experimental condition, and corresponding field log observations. To the best of the author's knowledge, this dataset offers an exceptionally comprehensive longitudinal documentation on the progressive use and structural modification of artificial cavities by M. scutellaris, combining continuous daily observational records, original audiovisual documentation, environmental monitoring, and non-destructive internal inspection. The objective of this dataset is to provide primary observational material for research on stingless bee behavior, cavity occupation, nest architecture, colony-environment interactions, and non-destructive methodologies for monitoring stingless bee colonies.