1 Jul 2017

Stingless Bees harvesting resin

by | posted in: Bees and wasps, Videography | 0

I cane across a small swarm of Stingless Bees (Trigona sp.) harvesting resin from the stem of a legume tree by a roadside one sunny afternoon. Unfortunately the tree was almost leafless and there were no signs of flowers and/or fruits. This made identification of the tree difficult. Also, this appeared to be the only tree along the road.

video grab
video grab

The tree secreted the resin in an effort to heal the wound on the bark. The bees came and took advantage of the situation as resin is needed in nest construction, maintenance and defense. These bees nest in cavities found in rotting tree trunks and branches as well as cavities found in walls.

Beeswax mixed with plant resin are used in the construction of egg-shaped pots used to store honey and pollen. Within these pots an egg is deposited. Once the egg hatches the larva will have enough food to last until the pupa turns into an adult bee.

YC Wee
Singapore
20th May 2017

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Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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