Do stingless bees not have a sting?
Stingless bees lack a functional sting apparatus, hence are called 'stingless'. They have mandibles, which they use to bite invaders.
Do stingless bees live in colonies?
Stingless bees are social insects that live in colonies. Their colonies include a queen bee, a few males and thousands of worker bees. The queen and male bees are fertile while worker bees are sterile females that forage for pollen and nectar, and maintain the nest. Stingless bee nests have pot-shaped structures (honey pots) made from wax and plant resins.
Where are stingless bees found?
Stingless bees are found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. In India, they are found in exceptional diversity in the Western Ghats and Northeast India.
About the Authors
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Femi is a PhD student at University College London (UCL), working on the ecology and behavior of Asian giant hornets. Passionate about insects, especially wasps, she loves fieldwork in underexplored places, studying how insects interact with their environment and discovering new species while at it!
