Monitoramento do tráfego de abelhas por meio de sensores de luz infravermelha em colmeia de Melipona (Apidae, Meliponinae)

Abstract

An electronic-computational system was developed to monitor the bee traffic through infrared sensors positioned in the hive entrance orifice. Data acquisition was conducted and controlled by means of an interface device and a model 486 microcomputer. Field tests were carried out with the system in three hives of different species of Melipona. Variations were found in bee traffic activities between hives that may be related to abiotic and behavioral factors. There was a greater number of bees that left and did not return to the hives during the monitoring period. This may be related to their mortality during foraging, failures in the orientation and marking of tracks, making it impossible for them to return, or the expulsion of virgin males and queens that were not required to play a social role in the nest. The system worked satisfactorily throughout the monitoring of the hives, demonstrating a potential to provide valuable information about the behavior of the bee flight activity.