Morphometric characterization of the stingless bees, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Although, a good diversity of Tetragonula iridipennis is occurred in Northern Parts of the country, still very less studies have been conduced to explore their habitat and morphological features. Again, morphometry of drones of T. iridipennis is first time recorded in Temperate region/ Northern Parts of India. As by appearance, drone and worker bees look quite similar in appearance, the measurements of drone will help to distinguish them from worker bees. The studies will helpful in colonizing their feral colonies into hives and to design a suitable hives for their domestication.Significant differences were found in various body parts of all three castes. Further, results showed an important characteristic distinguish feature in morphology/morphometry in three castes were that the drone has 10 segmented flagellum while worker and queen bees had 9 segmented flagellum. Another key difference was found in the shape and size (length and width) of the mandibles, which were bi-dentate in drone (0.40±0.004 mm and 0.07±0.001 mm) and tri-dentate in worker (0.533±0.009 mm and 0.178±0.003 mm) and queen bees (0.624±0.049 mm and 0.154±0.003 mm).