Melipona mondury Smith 1863 is an important stingless bee species pollinator and honey/pollen producer, but threatened by fragmentation of habitats throughout its range. This article presents the identification and partial characterization of nesting substrates, bionomic including population features of M. mondury by comparing data between nest architecture of natural beehive and boxes colonies. Nineteen colonies (13 in boxes and six in beehives) were analyzed with regards to substrate nesting, nest characteristics (e.g. length and width of the combs, height and diameter of the pollen and honey jar) and bee population. The average volume and diameter of the trunks cavities used for nesting of M.mondury were18.4 L and 15.8 cm; the average number of combs was 9.26; the average diameter and height of the honey pots were 2.81 cm and 3.29 cm, and the average volume of honey stored was 15.85 mL; the average height and diameter of pollen pots was 3.21 cm and 2.93 cm, respectively, while the average mass of pollen deposited was equal to 12.56 g. The population ranged from 3537 to 10281 individuals between colonies. The results suggest that the conservation of M. mondury should involve reforestation with native species from Atlantic Forest, and the dimensions of boxes should be based on the average size of the nests in the natural environment in order to support strategies of conservation and sustainable management of this species. Keywords: Conservation, nest architecture, nesting substrate, rational management, stingless bees. Resumo: Melipona mondury Smith 1863 é uma espécie de abelha sem ferrã o, importante polinizadora, produtora de mel e de pó len, mas ameac¸ada pela fragmentac¸ã o dos habitats ao longo de sua á rea de ocorrência. Este artigo apresenta a identificac¸ã o e a caracterizac¸ã o parcial dos substratos de nidificac¸ão e as características bionô micas, incluindo as populacionais, de M. mondury, comparando os dados de arquitetura do ninho entre colô nias de cortic¸o e caixas rú sticas. Dezenove colô nias (13 em caixas rú sticas e seis em cortic¸os) foram analisadas em relac¸ã o aos substratos de nidificac¸ã o, características do ninho (e.g.: comprimento e largura dos favos de cria, altura e diâ metro dos potes de pó len e mel) e populac¸ão das abelhas. Foram encontrados volume e diâ metro médios da cavidade dos troncos nidificados por M. mondury, de 18,4 L e 15,8 cm; nú mero médio de favos de cria de 9,26; diâ metro e altura médios dos potes de mel de 2,81 cm e 3,29 cm, sendo o volume médio de mel armazenado de 15,85 mL; altura e diâ metro médios dos potes de pó len de 3,21 cm e 2,93 cm, enquanto a massa média de pó len depositado foi de 12,56 g. A populac¸ã o variou de 3 537 a 10 281 indivíduos entre as colô nias. Os resultados sugerem que a conservac¸ão de M. mondury deve envolver o reflorestamento com espécies nativas da Mata Atlâ ntica; e as dimensõ es das caixas racionais foram definidas com base no tamanho médio dos ninhos no ambiente natural, para subsidiar estratégias conservacionistas e ...

The physico-chemical properties of honey produced by the stingless bee Melipona mondury from Atlantic Forest in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil were evaluated. The evaluated characteristics included: water content, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, water activity, ashes, diastase, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), reducing sugars and saccharose values. The honey samples showed mean values of 29.18% for moisture; 391.5 μS for electrical conductivity; pH of 4.06; 34.3 meq kg -1 for acidity; 0.73 for water activity; 0.18% for ashes; 4.05 (Goethe unit) for diastase; 1.60% for HMF; 65.42% for reducing sugars; and 2.14% of saccharose. Only the diastase activity was above the limits accepted by the Technical Regulation for Identity and Quality of Honey (Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Supplies). Most parameters are according to those reported in honeys from other species of stingless bees in Brazil.