Exocrine glands in the legs of the stingless bee Frieseomelitta varia (Lepeletier) (Apidae: Meliponini)

Authors

  • Johan Billen University of Leuven
  • Lore Vander Plancken University of Leuven

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i4.386-392

Keywords:

Legs, exocrine glands, morphology, Meliponini

Abstract

Social insects are known for their overwhelming diversity of exocrine glands. This study examines the glands in the legs of workers of Frieseomelitta varia (Lepeletier). A variety of 15 glands was found, with glands occurring in every leg segment, whereas previous studies only described 5 glands in stingless bee legs. Six glands are novel exocrine structures for social insects. Glands occurring in the articulation region between adjacent leg segments may occur in a repetitive pattern, and probably have a lubricant function. For most glands, however, the function is not yet known, and will require further experimental work.

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Published

2014-12-29

How to Cite

Billen, J., & Plancken, L. V. (2014). Exocrine glands in the legs of the stingless bee Frieseomelitta varia (Lepeletier) (Apidae: Meliponini). Sociobiology, 61(4), 386–392. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i4.386-392

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 4 (2014)

Section

Research Article - Bees

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