Polen colectado por Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae, Meliponini) en espacios urbanos de Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Meliponine bees play an essential role in the pollination of plants. In particular, Tetragonisca angustula is common in urban and semi-urban environments in Colombia. This species collects pollen from various plant families according to the availability of resources. This study compares the diversity of pollen collected by T. angustula in hives at two locations in Medellin: Universidad EAFIT and the Jardín Botánico “Joaquín Antonio Uribe” de Medellín. The results reveal the significant influence of certain plant families in the diet of these bees, highlighting Bignoniaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae at EAFIT, and Moraceae, Myrtaceae, and Arecaceae at the Jardín Botánico de Medellín. This understanding is crucial for their conservation and the promotion of biodiversity in urban environments, emphasizing the fundamental role of bees in pollination and how their sustainable management can contribute to their preservation in urban settings and the conservation of biodiversity in cities.