The pollen transported by worker bees of Melipona compressipes manaosensis Schwarz, 1932, was studied from August 1988 to July 1989. Thirty types of pollen were encountered, distributed among 22 genera and 19 families of plants. Cassia spp. were the most important pollen source, followed by two species of Miconia and three of Solanum. Additional important pollen sources, exploited only at specific times of the year, were: Tapirira guianensis, Doliocarpus sp., Lindackeria sp. and Mimosa pudica. There are strong indications that seasonal intensity of rain affected foraging intensity in Melipona compressipes manaosensis. Few plant species were collected during the very rainy month of May, 1989. During rainy periods no workers were observed entering or leaving the hive, but during breaks in the rain the workers returned to the hive.
Pollen; bee plants; Melipona compressipes manaosensis; stingless bees