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Melipona marginata

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description Melipona marginata Overview

Melipona marginata, commonly known as manduri, is a small species of stingless bee native to the Atlantic Forest region of Brazil. Like other members of the tribe Meliponini, it is a eusocial bee that constructs permanent colonies and produces a distinct type of liquid honey. This species plays a significant ecological role in its native habitat by serving as a primary pollinator for local flora.

help Melipona marginata FAQ

Can Melipona marginata sting people?

Its sting is functionally reduced, so manduri cannot deliver a normal honey-bee sting. Workers can still defend the colony by biting and behaving aggressively around the narrow nest entrance.

Where does the manduri build its nest?

Melipona marginata usually nests in hollow trees and sometimes in earthen walls. Its entrance is commonly surrounded by converging clay ridges and is narrow enough for roughly one bee to pass at a time.

How large is a Melipona marginata colony?

Manduri colonies are relatively small, commonly containing around 300 adult bees. Workers themselves are only about 6 to 7 mm long, making this one of the smaller Melipona species.

What happens to manduri colonies during southern Brazil's winter?

Melipona marginata is unusual within its genus because the queen can enter a reproductive pause during colder periods. This winter diapause helps distinguish manduri biology from that of better-known stingless bees such as Melipona quadrifasciata.

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