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For Melipona fasciata, M. beecheii, M. favosa and Tetragonisca angustula we found distinct intergeneric differences in foraging activity patterns. The Melipona species had a longer daily foraging activity period than T. angustula. Pollen foraging patterns of the Melipona species were different from that of T. angustula: Melipona collect pollen earlier in the day. In an experimental habitat without competitors, Melipona favosa did not collect pollen very early in the day.Individually marked returning foragers demonstrated in the course of the day distinct differences in nature and frequency of interactions with nest mates. Individual foraging flight frequency was lower and the intranidal transfer of nectar was delayed when syrup of a lower concentration was offered.The regulation of daily foraging activity patterns and the nectar foraging behaviour of individual worker bees are discussed.

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This paper is the report of a long-duration study of the production of gynes and males in Melipona stingless bees in Trinidad and Tobago, including a behavioural study of laying workers. In 167 brood samples (16342 pupae) of M. favosa, taken from 78 colonies in the natural environment over the years 1993 -2001, workers represented 78.4% and males represented 17.3%. Gynes represented 5.1% of all female brood. Gyne proportion never exceeded 22.5%. Gynes were found to be common throughout the year. Like the gynes, males were present all year, but their occurrence varied over the months. Males were most common in the months of July and August. At the colony level male occurrence in the brood was characterized by very high values (maximum 74.2%), next to a frequent complete absence (in 26.5% of all samples). The finding of bout-like production of males at the colony level is supported by the observations on reproductive worker behaviour. The colonies appeared to be in different phases of male production. When male producing laying workers were present, they competed heavily for egg-laying opportunities. Various behaviours of laying workers and the queen are described and interpreted on the basis of reproductive competition and kin conflict theories. From these results, we conclude that in M. favosa, workers have a distinct influence on reproduction, including the production of gynes and males.