The botanical origin of cerumen and propolis of Indian stingless bees (Tetragonula iridipennis Smith): pollen spectrum does not accurately indicate latex and resin sources
Layek, Ujjwal*, et al
*Department of Botany, Rampurhat College. Rampurhar, Birbhum 731224. India
Apidologie 54.2 (2023): 18.
Summary:
Stingless bees collect plant latex and resin to produce cerumen and propolis. Knowledge about the botanical origin of these materials is essential for sustainable bee management. They researcher performed direct observation method by field surveys and indirect assumption method via pollen analysis of corbicular and in-hive stored latex/resin, cerumen, and propolis of Tetragonula iridipennis. By the direct observation method, 25 plant species were identified, including Artocarpus heterophyllus, Calotropis gigantea, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus religiosa, Mangifera indica, Tabernaemontana divaricata, and Vachellia nilotica. From pollen analyses, they found diverse pollen types, including pollens of polleniferous plants.
However, all the pollen types do not indicate actual latex or propolis sources for the bee species. Therefore, alternative techniques like direct observation method or chemical profiling are needed to infer its botanical origin.
Comments:
Stingless bees use plant materials like latex and resin to make two important substances called cerumen and propolis. Cerumen is used for making different parts of their nest, while propolis is used to seal and protect their nest from predators and diseases. Knowing which plants these materials come from is important for taking care of the bees.
The researchers used two methods to figure out which plants the bees were getting their materials from. First, they watched the bees and identified 25 different types of plants that the bees were visiting for latex and resin. Some of the most common plants were jackfruit, milkweed, fig trees, mango, and acacia trees.
The second method was to look at the pollen found in the materials the bees were using. They found many different types of pollen, including pollen from plants that produce latex and resin. However, not all the pollen came from the plants that the bees were visiting, and some of it was added during the processing of the materials into cerumen and propolis. Other methods, such as watching the bees directly or using chemical analysis, may be needed to determine where the bees are getting their materials from.
