Foraging of Parachartergus fraternus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Epiponini) on cloudy and sunny days.

摘要

Foraging dynamics of a colony of Parachartergus fraternus (Gribodo) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini) were evaluated in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil on cloudy (low brightness) and sunny (high brightness) days from 07:00 A.M. to 06:00 P.M. when the temperature and relative humidity were registered every 15 minutes. The temperature was milder and the relative humidity higher and with lower variations on the cloudy day with the opposite being registered on the sunny days. The combination of the relative humidity and temperature determined foraging dynamics of P. fraternus. In both situations, the temperature had positive effect and the relative humidity negative effect on foraging activity of P. fraternus.