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VOL. 9, ISSUE 1 (2024)
Survey of stingless bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) population at few constrasting habitats of southern Karnataka, India
Authors
Shaguftha Heena, S Basavarajappa
Abstract
Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) are the most diverse
group of social insects live in perennial colonies. They bees are considered as
one of the most effective pollinators and produce economically important hive
products, which are being used by mankind all over the world. Hence, they are
considered as one of the keystone species, their distribution and inventorying
their population at different habitats is need of the day. During the present
investigation, unexplored areas like contrasting habitats were selected at
Mysore (11º45' to 12º40' N and longitude 75º 57' to 77º15' E at an elevation
750 msl) and Chamarajanagar (11º40' to 12º06' N and Longitude 76º 46' E at more
than 780 msl elevation) districts to record the distribution of stingless bee
population. Altogether, 199 stingless bee live nests were recorded at urban,
sub-urban, rural and rocky-hill area of southern Karnataka. In urban areas were
recorded more live nests compared to sub-urban, rural and rocky-hill areas.
Statistical analysis revealed significant difference (X2 = 258.25; P>0.001)
between the contrasting habitats and interestingly, 2017 to 2022 occurrence of
stingless bee population between contrasting habitats indicated an increasing
trend of stingless bee population. Further, nine different sites were preferred
by stingless bees to establish nests at contrasting habitats and the external
features such as shape of nest, entrance, nest tube length, nest entrance size,
width of nest tube, nest tube colour, nesting elevation and nest opening
orientation revealed significant differences between urban, sub- urban, rural
and rocky-hill area of southern Karnataka. Furthermore, internal features such
as brood cells, honey pots and pollen pots are located respectively at centre
and peripheral portion of the nest. It is concluded that the pattern of nesting
observed at urban, semi-urban, rural and rocky hilly areas in Mysore and
Chamarajanagar districts indicated the existence of Tetragonula species
in this part of the state. In this regard in depth investigations were made on
morphological traits, cytological, enzymes and molecular level (such types of
observations are published elsewhere) and confirmed the existence of T.
pagdeni and T. iridipennis at contrasting habitats such as urban,
semi-urban, rural and rocky hilly areas of southern Karnataka.
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Pages:79-86
How to cite this article:
Shaguftha Heena, S Basavarajappa "Survey of stingless bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) population at few constrasting habitats of southern Karnataka, India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 9, Issue 1, 2024, Pages 79-86
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