What Makes Them Masters of Survival? Unraveling the Intricacies of Adaptive Thrive of Tetragonula iridipennis Smith in the Dynamic Ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae), commonly called ‘Dammar bees in India,’ inhabit concealed environments across various ecosystems. They possess significant ecological importance as ‘Keystone Pollinators’, contributing crucially to the pollination of diverse flowering plants. Increased attention is being given to the patterning aspects of nests in nature. Our investigation into this occurrence within human-inhabited environments is characterized by repeated spatio-temporal patterns. Various criteria, including habitat preference, nesting pattern, orientations, elevation, and nest architecture, were chosen to assess the preferences of an indigenous stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith, at 30 different locations in Tamil Nadu, India. Most colonies inhabited walls (50.0%), followed by tree trunks (33.33%). The maximum height of nest entrances from ground level, a significant parameter for adaptive defense patterns, ranged from 1.3 m to 2.98 m. Additionally, the circumference of nest entrances varied from 1.29 cm to 2.45 cm. The length of the external tube ranged from 1.1 cm to 3.24 cm, playing a crucial role in defense by presenting a thin layer of mud capping to prevent the entry of intruders. Bees can effectively thwart threats and predators Through complex nesting architecture, including resin and mud coating, pillar-like batumen structures, waxy solid buildings, and multiple nest entrances. Thus, the population and their colony propagation could be sustained.