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

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. .

Keywords

• defensive behaviour
• stingless bees
• ant
• nest invasion