ETHOLOGY OF STINGLESS BEES (Tetragonula “iridipennis” sp. group) IN HABITANCY

Authors : Balakrishnan Saaıvıgnesh, Sagadai Manıckavasagam, Boopathiraja Anujaa

Pages : 142-152

Doi:10.31467/uluaricilik.1451516

View : 38 | Download : 32

Publication Date : 2024-05-29

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Most primitive stingless bee species in Asia areTetragonula “iridipennis sp. group, which are highly eusocial and corbiculate. The aim of the study is to explore thestingless bee behaviour around their habitat, as they have constructed their nest in cracks and crevices. General behaviour of stingless bee, inside the hive and their habitat was studied through periodical observation of colony throughout the research period 2020 to 2021. Colony behaviour showed that the bees (i) resort to switching of entrance (during morning and night), (ii) construct false nest and vestibule chamber to prevent intruders by trapping and mummification, (iii) follow mass provisioning (time and number of workers involved in provisioning per brood pot) and ovipositioning process (time taken for egg laying by queen and sealing of brood pots by workers after oviposition), (iv) resort to cleaning process through removal of waste as a debris ball, (v) resort to mess and soil manner of foraging (burglary of floral rewards), (vi) forage on resin substances (like natural milky latex from plant and petroleum product-grease) and (vii) peak forage time was between 10.00 and 01.00 hours.
Keywords : Tetragonula sp, Davranış, Savunma, Toplu tedarik ve Yumurtlama, Yiyecek arama