Abstract
Despite the fact that Meliponini bee lost their sting apparatus (stingless bees), they did not lose their ability to defend themselves. A variety of defensive strategies is described for the group, such as bitting and resin deposition. Defensive behaviours are usually mediated by chemical communication such as alarm pheromones. This study describe the defensive strategies of the stingless bee Melipona flavolineata Friese 1900 towards known pheromone sources, the head secretions of the robber bee Lestrimelitta limao and the mandibular gland extract of conspecifics M. flavolineata workers. The pheromones provoked different defensive reactions. The head secretions of the robber bee repelled returning foragers, elicited the enclosing of the nest entrance tube with batumen balls and agglomeration of workers outside of the box. In contrast, the mandibular gland extract elicited aggression towards the pheromone site, transport of resin and generalised agitated flights. The results confirm the mandibular gland as a source of alarm pheromone for this specie and also the chemical triggering of defensive response for the known cleptoparasite L. limao.
Highlights
The Meliponini bees are a diverse group of social insects comprising over 400 species (Michener, 2000; Camargo & Pedro, 2007)
Despite the lack of sting, the Meliponini bees have developed a series of defensive mechanisms, including biting and resin deposition among others, which are triggered and modulated by inter and intraspecific chemical and visual stimuli (Wilson, 1971; Wittmann et al, 1990; Schorkopf et al, 2009)
Workers in the control group did not present any visible change in the behavior after the solvent was deposited at the nest entrance, showing no generalized agitation and workers returning normally to the nest
Summary
The Meliponini bees are a diverse group of social insects comprising over 400 species (Michener, 2000; Camargo & Pedro, 2007). These bees are called stingless bees as a result of their loss of the sting apparatus and consequent inability to defend themselves by stinging, as commonly observed in other bees (Wilson, 1971). Biting behavior is usually linked to distressful sounds (Wilson 1971) Another characteristic defensive mechanism is the deposition of plant resins on the potential predator (Greco et al, 2010). Resin deposits are a common feature on different species of stingless bees’ nests and in the presence of a disturbance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
