Adaptive Response of Melipona subnitida Ducke and Colonial Thermoregulation in Different Thermal Conditions in the Context to Climate Change

Abstract Negative effects of climate system warming have been reported for different bee species. Given the economic, social and environmental importance of bees, particularly for the Caatinga biome, it is necessary to know potential negative effects in order to guide efficient measures of adaptation of these animals to the climatic changes. The objective of this study was to identify effects arising from the increase of external temperature on homeostasis and the behavior of the colonies of Melipona subnitida Ducke (jandaíra). For this, two different treatments were considered CRDS (Nesting colonies receiving Direct Radiation from the Sun - Portuguese acronym) and CNSS (Nested Colonies Under Shaded Area - Portuguese acronym). The evaluated parameter was the forage behavior of the bees, besides comparing the internal temperatures of each beehive with the outside temperature. The study pointed out that the CRDS colonies suffered a considerable reduction in the defensive capacity of the hive, as well as in the entrance fodder behavior, besides indicating more difficulty in the thermoregulation of the hives and adaptation to this condition, when compared to the CNSS colonies. Therefore, it seems reasonable to suggest that jandaíra hives are leased in areas of natural perennial shading, as a measure of adjustment to the increase in the current ambient temperature.