Tetragonula carbonaria | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Apidae |
Clade: | Corbiculata |
Tribe: | Meliponini |
Genus: | Tetragonula |
Species: | T. carbonaria
|
Binomial name | |
Tetragonula carbonaria Smith, 1854
| |
Synonyms[1] | |
Trigona angophorae Cockerell, T.D.A. 1912 |
Tetragonula carbonaria (previously known as Trigona carbonaria[2]) is a stingless bee, endemic to the north-east coast of Australia.[3] Its common name is sugarbag bee.[1] They are also occasionally referred to as bush bees. The bee is known to pollinate orchid species, such as Dendrobium lichenastrum, D. toressae, and D. speciosum.[4] It has been identified as an insect that collects pollen from the cycad Cycas media.[5] They are also known for their small body size, reduced wing venation, and highly developed social structure comparable to honey bees.[6]
Tetragonula carbonaria forms honeycombs in their nests.[7] The bee produces an edible honey; the whole nest is sometimes eaten by Indigenous Australians.[8] The bees "mummify" invasive small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) that enter the nest by coating and immobilising the invaders in wax, resin, and mud or soil from the nest.[9]
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