Trigona: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:54, 9 February 2025

Genus of stingless bees

Trigona is a genus of stingless bees in the tribe Meliponini, within the family Apidae. These bees are known for their eusocial behavior and are found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.

Description

Trigona bees are small to medium-sized, with a body length ranging from 3 to 10 mm. They are characterized by their lack of a sting, which is a common trait among the Meliponini. Despite their lack of a sting, they can defend their nests using their powerful mandibles and by swarming intruders.

Habitat

Trigona species are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They inhabit a variety of environments, from dense forests to open savannas.

Nesting

Trigona bees build their nests in a variety of locations, including tree cavities, underground, and in man-made structures. The nests are made from a mixture of wax and plant resins, which the bees collect and process. The nests can vary greatly in size and complexity.

Behavior

Trigona bees are highly social insects, living in colonies that can contain thousands of individuals. They have a complex social structure with a single queen, workers, and drones. The workers are responsible for foraging, nest maintenance, and caring for the brood.

Foraging

These bees are important pollinators and forage for nectar and pollen from a wide variety of plants. They are known to visit flowers that are often ignored by other pollinators, making them crucial for the pollination of certain plant species.

Economic Importance

Trigona bees are valued for their role in pollination and for the production of honey, which is often used in traditional medicine. The honey produced by stingless bees is different from that of the more common honey bees, being less sweet and more liquid.

Conservation

The conservation of Trigona bees is important due to their ecological role as pollinators. Habitat destruction and the use of pesticides pose significant threats to their populations. Efforts to conserve their habitats and promote sustainable beekeeping practices are essential for their survival.

Related pages

References

Roubik, D. W. (2006). "Stingless bee nesting biology." Apidologie, 37(2), 124-143.
Michener, C. D. (2007). "The Bees of the World." Johns Hopkins University Press.

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-== Trigona ==
+{{short description|Genus of stingless bees}}
-Trigona is a genus of stingless bees that belongs to the family Apidae. These bees are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Trigona bees are known for their unique characteristics and important role in pollination.
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Trigona
+| image_caption = Trigona bee
+| regnum = [[Animalia]]
+| phylum = [[Arthropoda]]
+| classis = [[Insecta]]
+| ordo = [[Hymenoptera]]
+| familia = [[Apidae]]
+| subfamilia = [[Apinae]]
+| tribus = [[Meliponini]]
+| genus = '''Trigona'''
+| genus_authority = [[Johan Christian Fabricius|Fabricius]], 1804
+}}
-=== Taxonomy ===
+'''Trigona''' is a genus of [[stingless bees]] in the tribe [[Meliponini]], within the family [[Apidae]]. These bees are known for their eusocial behavior and are found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.
-Trigona is a diverse genus that includes numerous species. The taxonomy of Trigona bees has been a subject of ongoing research, with new species being discovered and classified regularly. The genus is part of the subfamily Meliponinae, which comprises stingless bees.
-=== Description ===
+==Description==
-Trigona bees are relatively small in size, measuring around 4 to 6 millimeters in length. They have a distinctive black or dark brown coloration, with some species displaying yellow or orange markings on their bodies. These bees lack a sting, which sets them apart from other bee species.
+Trigona bees are small to medium-sized, with a body length ranging from 3 to 10 mm. They are characterized by their lack of a sting, which is a common trait among the Meliponini. Despite their lack of a sting, they can defend their nests using their powerful mandibles and by swarming intruders.
-=== Behavior ===
+==Habitat==
-Trigona bees are highly social insects, living in colonies that can consist of thousands of individuals. They construct their nests in various locations, such as tree hollows, crevices, or underground cavities. The nests are made from a mixture of wax and resin, forming intricate structures with multiple chambers.
+Trigona species are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of [[Central America]], [[South America]], [[Africa]], and [[Southeast Asia]]. They inhabit a variety of environments, from dense forests to open savannas.
-Within the colony, Trigona bees have a well-defined social hierarchy. The queen bee is responsible for reproduction, while worker bees perform various tasks such as foraging for food, building and maintaining the nest, and caring for the brood. These bees communicate through a combination of chemical signals and intricate dances.
+==Nesting==
+Trigona bees build their nests in a variety of locations, including tree cavities, underground, and in man-made structures. The nests are made from a mixture of wax and plant resins, which the bees collect and process. The nests can vary greatly in size and complexity.
-=== Importance ===
+[[File:Arboreal_stingless_bee_nest_(Trigona_sp.)_Flores.jpg|thumb|left|Arboreal nest of Trigona species]]
-Trigona bees play a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the reproduction of numerous plant species. They are known to be efficient pollinators due to their small size and ability to access flowers with narrow openings. This makes them particularly important for the pollination of crops and wild plants in their native habitats.
-In addition to their pollination services, Trigona bees also produce honey. While their honey production is relatively low compared to other bee species, it is highly valued for its unique flavor and medicinal properties in some cultures.
+==Behavior==
+Trigona bees are highly social insects, living in colonies that can contain thousands of individuals. They have a complex social structure with a single queen, workers, and drones. The workers are responsible for foraging, nest maintenance, and caring for the brood.
-=== Conservation ===
+==Foraging==
-Like many other bee species, Trigona bees face various threats to their populations. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change are among the factors that contribute to the decline of these bees. Efforts are being made to raise awareness about the importance of conserving Trigona bees and their habitats, as well as implementing sustainable practices to protect their populations.
+These bees are important pollinators and forage for nectar and pollen from a wide variety of plants. They are known to visit flowers that are often ignored by other pollinators, making them crucial for the pollination of certain plant species.
-== See Also ==
+==Economic Importance==
-* [[Stingless bees]]
+Trigona bees are valued for their role in pollination and for the production of honey, which is often used in traditional medicine. The honey produced by stingless bees is different from that of the more common [[honey bee]]s, being less sweet and more liquid.
+[[File:Trigona_caixa_nordestina.jpg|thumb|right|Trigona bee hive]]
+==Conservation==
+The conservation of Trigona bees is important due to their ecological role as pollinators. Habitat destruction and the use of pesticides pose significant threats to their populations. Efforts to conserve their habitats and promote sustainable beekeeping practices are essential for their survival.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Stingless bee]]
 * [[Pollination]]
-* [[Beekeeping]]
+* [[Eusociality]]
-== References ==
+==References==
-<references />
+* Roubik, D. W. (2006). "Stingless bee nesting biology." Apidologie, 37(2), 124-143.
+* Michener, C. D. (2007). "The Bees of the World." Johns Hopkins University Press.
-[[Category:Bees]]
+[[Category:Trigona| ]]
-[[Category:Insects]]
+[[Category:Stingless bees]]
 [[Category:Pollinators]]