Cell provisioning and oviposition in Melipona beecheii (Apidae, Meliponinae),with a note on caste determination

We examined the food provisioning and oviposition process (POP) for worker- and gyne-producing cells of Melipona beecheii. POPs for both castes did no t differ significantly in duration and number of trophic eggs oviposited by workers in the cells. The frequency of food discharges by workers in gyne- producing cells was significantly less than in worker-producing cells. This result is discussed in relation with caste determination. Seventy percent of all POPs took place at night. We hypothesized that foraging activities d uring the daytime reduced the number of workers available in the nest for p rovision of food to workers that participated in the POPs. It was found tha t the number of trophic eggs laid by workers during a POP was positively co rrelated to the preceding extra-oviposition period.