Seasonal correlation between rainfall and honey production by Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille 1811) in a meliponiculture system in the Peruvian Amazon

Background: Tetragonisca angustula is the most abundant stingless bee in meliponaries of the Peruvian Amazon, especially in the Huallaga River valley. Its recent management has been conducted empirically, without scientific and technical guidance. Hypothesis and objective: Premised on the hypothesis that environmental conditions in seasonally dry forests affect the honey yield of T. angustula in technical meliponiculture this study aimed to evaluate variations in hive density and honey production patterns of this species in relation to the rainfall regime. Methodology: Between October 2019 and April 2023, a set of 36 'rational boxes' located in a meliponary was systematically evaluated for its longevity and honey production records. Likewise, information on the rainfall regime for the same period was systematized. Results: The longevity of the colonies was 2.25 ± 1.10 years. The total number of colonies and the number of unproductive colonies were strongly related, but they did not determine the honey production in the meliponary. The honey yield pattern showed the effects of the seasonal rainfall regime, probably related to a lower availability of floral resources. Implications: Under these ecological conditions, honey production is correlated with the number of productive hives but not with the total amount of hives in the meliponary, indicating competitive differences related to the combined effects of harvesting pressure and foraging capacity. Conclusion: Honey production by Tetragonisca angustula in a meliponiculture system responds to the seasonal rainfall regime in the Huallaga dry forest valley, in the Peruvian Amazon.