Stingless bees tongue morphology is different compared to honeybees. ScienceDirect, 26 (4). (2023)
Abstract
Stingless bee species including Geniotrigona thoracica, Heterotrigona itama, and Tetragonula laeviceps are cultivated domestically in Malaysia to produce honey and bee bread and to encourage plant pollination. Bees use their mouthparts to extract nectar from diverse flowers. Different bee species are attracted to the nectar of these flowers, which is produced in varying concentrations. Understanding the morphology of the mouthparts in various stingless bee species is crucial for comprehending their robust foraging behaviour, a subject currently little explored. This study aimed to examine the detailed structure of G. thoracica, H. itama, and T. laeviceps mouthparts, with a focus on the tongue (glossa) structure. Our findings revealed that each of these three stingless bee species possesses a distinct flabellum geometry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Foraging, Meliponine, Morphology, Stingless bee |
| Taxonomy: | By Niche > Kelulut (Stingless Bee) > Ecology By Niche > Kelulut (Stingless Bee) > Research |
| Local Content Hub: | Niche > Kelulut (Stingless Bee) |
| Depositing User: | Nor Azimahwati Aris |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Apr 2025 03:56 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Apr 2025 03:56 |
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