Characterization of Scaptotrigona mexicana Pot-Pollen from Veracruz, Mexico

The stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana is distributed from Mexico to Costa Rica. In Mexico, this species is often found in wet lowlands but more commonly in forests not higher than 1000 m in the states of Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, State of Mexico, Morelos, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. This bee commonly nests in tree cavities and is kept in wood or ceramic clay hives by traditional stingless beekeepers. Pot-pollen from three hives managed in central Veracruz, Mexico, at Canada Blanca, Manuel Leon, and Fortin de las Flores was analyzed in duplicates. Chemical parameters including ash, proteins, electrical conductivity, pH, phosphorus, and potassium were similar among pot-pollen samples, whereas the highest water and total soluble sugars were in samples from Fortin de las Flores. The lowest lipid content occurred in Canada Blanca pot-pollen. Although botanical origin of the pot-pollen differed among sites, the number of plant species was nearly the same, with 13 found in Canada Blanca and Fortin de las Flores and 11 at Manuel Leon. Most pollen types belonged to Tiliaceae and Burseraceae in Canada Blanca, Fabaceae and Asteraceae in Manuel Leon, and Solanaceae and Asteraceae in Fortin de las Flores.