Interaction and behavior of virgin and physogastric queens in three Meliponini species (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. We studied the behavior of virgin queens of the stingless bee species Schwarziana quadripunctata, Paratrigona lineata and Tetragona clavipes, investigating internal nest activities, including the cell provisioning and oviposition process. We made direct observation of queen behavior, with the aid of video filming. Forty-four virgin queens of S. quadripunctata were observed; one was larger and more attractive than the others. Miniature queens were more abundant than normal-size queens; both were found in prison chambers. Agonistic behavior between virgin and physogastric queens of P. lineata was observed during attempts at queen supersedure. After the disappearance of the physogastric queen and the appearance of a virgin queen in T. clavipes nests, the brood cells were sealed with pollen alone, but no egg. In all three species, the presence of one or more virgin queens appeared to make the colonies nervous, even though constant production of virgin queens is vital to the survival of the colony and is part of the colony cycle in these bees.

100 Million-year-old straight-jawed lacewing larvae with enormously inflated trunks represent the oldest cases of extreme physogastry in insects

“…Other mites can expand in a fashion similar to that of ticks 5 , 7 , but are in fact more comparable to termite queens, as inflation is related to reproduction. Other queens, for example, among ants 23 – 26 and bees 27 , 28 , also show this feature, as do beetles and flies imitating termites and ants (adults 29 – 33 ; larvae 33 – 35 ). Some beetles also show physogastry related to enlarged ovaries 36 , 37 .…”

Queen bee acceptance under threat: Neurotoxic insecticides provoke deep damage in queen-worker relationships

“…Among stingless bees, which are closely related to honeybees and bumblebees (Cardinal and Packer, 2007), virgin queens must exhibit a range of behaviors to workers before being accepted as leaders of their nests (da Silva et al, 1972;Imperatriz-Fonseca and Zucchi, 1995;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2015;Araújo et al, 2017;Veiga et al, 2017). During queen selection among stingless bees, the putative new queens (hereafter, gynes) usually make significant indirect or direct contact with workers (da Silva et al, 1972;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Pinho et al, 2010;Santos et al, 2015;Veiga et al, 2017).…”

“…Among stingless bees, which are closely related to honeybees and bumblebees (Cardinal and Packer, 2007), virgin queens must exhibit a range of behaviors to workers before being accepted as leaders of their nests (da Silva et al, 1972;Imperatriz-Fonseca and Zucchi, 1995;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2015;Araújo et al, 2017;Veiga et al, 2017). During queen selection among stingless bees, the putative new queens (hereafter, gynes) usually make significant indirect or direct contact with workers (da Silva et al, 1972;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Pinho et al, 2010;Santos et al, 2015;Veiga et al, 2017). For example, in an individual context when contact with workers are indirect, the gynes may (1) run into nests, displaying themselves to colony members, (2) clean themselves and (3) vibrate their wings (da Silva et al, 1972;Imperatriz-Fonseca and Zucchi, 1995;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2015;Araújo et al, 2017;Veiga et al, 2017).…”

“…During queen selection among stingless bees, the putative new queens (hereafter, gynes) usually make significant indirect or direct contact with workers (da Silva et al, 1972;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Pinho et al, 2010;Santos et al, 2015;Veiga et al, 2017). For example, in an individual context when contact with workers are indirect, the gynes may (1) run into nests, displaying themselves to colony members, (2) clean themselves and (3) vibrate their wings (da Silva et al, 1972;Imperatriz-Fonseca and Zucchi, 1995;Nogueira-Ferreira et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2015;Araújo et al, 2017;Veiga et al, 2017). However, in a social context when direct contact with workers is necessary, the gynes may (1) antennate the workers, which often is followed by ( 2) trophallaxis (mouth-to-mouth liquid food exchange).…”

Biologia reprodutiva de rainhas e machos de Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera: Meliponini)

“…As rainhas virgens após atingirem atratividade passam boa parte do tempo solicitando trofaláxis às operárias, vibrando as asas e inflando o abdome. Após isso, muitas vezes, essas rainhas virgens são vistas se refugiando em câmaras de aprisionamento ou outros compartimentos dentro dos ninhos (NAVES DA SILVAIMPERATRIZ-FONSECA & ZUCCHI, 1995;NOGUEIRA-FERREIRA ET AL., 2009).Dentro de todos os compostos identificados nas cabeças das rainhas virgens e fisogástricas, o nerol, presente exclusivamente nas virgens, desperta interesse para saber seu possível significado biológico. Estudos conduzidos com outras espécies de abelhas sem ferrão têm encontrado nerol em extratos cefálicos de operárias, onde esse composto possui papel de feromônio de alarme.…”