External morphometric and microscopic analysis of the reproductive system in in- vitro reared stingless bee queens, Heterotrigona itama, and their mating frequency.

ABSTRACT: Stingless bees, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, are a tribe of eusocial bees that are crucial pollinators for economic crops and native plants and, produce honey and pollen. However, colony expansion is limited by a shortage of queens for new colonies. Therefore, mass artificial rearing of virgin queens could address this in commercially managed meliponiculture. Furthermore, the in vitro rearing of queen stingless bees can improve meliponiculture management and conservation efforts. Herein, we explored the efficacy of in vitro queen rearing for Heterotrigona itama, assessing the queen's body size, reproductive organ size (ovary and spermatheca), acceptance rate into new, small colonies, and mating frequency. H. itama larvae developed into queens when fed with 120 μL-150 μL o

SUBMITTER: Wongsa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11421791 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature