Fortress with Sticky Moats: the Functional Role of Small Particles around Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Apidae: Hymenoptera) Nest Entrance

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v65i2.1272

Keywords:

defensive behaviour, stingless bees, ant, nest invasion

Abstract

Many bee species are able to defend themselves against pollen or honey thievery. We herein report the functional role of small sticky particles deposited by Tetragonisca angustula Latreille in its nest entrance external side. This strategy was very effective to prevent ants from invading the bees’ nest. We reported many dead ants attached to the nest entrance and different ant species easily immobilized after being moved onto the entrance tube containing sticky particles. This is the first description of the functional role played by the nest entrance sticky particles under natural conditions.

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Author Biography

André Rodrigo Rech, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri.

Curso de Licenciatura em Educação do Campo

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Campus JK - Rodovia MGT 367 - Km 583, nº 5000, Alto da Jacuba - CEP 39100-000 Diamantina MG Brazil

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Published

2018-07-09

How to Cite

Alves, A., Sendoya, S. F., & Rech, A. R. (2018). Fortress with Sticky Moats: the Functional Role of Small Particles around Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Apidae: Hymenoptera) Nest Entrance. Sociobiology, 65(2), 330–332. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v65i2.1272

Issue

Vol. 65 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Short Note

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