Trigona is one of the largest genera of stingless bees, comprising about 32 species,[1] exclusively occurring in the New World, and formerly including many more subgenera than the present assemblage; many of these former subgenera have been elevated to generic status.[2]
Trigona species occur throughout the Neotropical region, including South and Central America, the Mexican lowlands, and the Caribbean islands. They can occur in forests, savannas, and man made environments. Trigona bees are active all year round, although they are less active in cool environments.[2]
Nest of stingless bee of genus Trigona, in traditional modular brazilian north-east style box. Only one part of the box is open. Multiple small honey pots are well visible in the foreground.
Some species of Trigona bees use saliva to lay scent trails guiding nest mates to a food source.[4] Some species of Trigona use eavesdropping which help them detect food sources being exploited by competitors.[5]
^Michener, Charles D. (1946-09-01). "Notes on the Habits of Some Panamanian Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)". Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 54 (3): 179–197. JSTOR25005167.
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Tarelho* Trigona fulviventris—Mexico, Z. V. S. (1973). Contribuição ao estudo citogenético dos Apoidea (masters thesis). University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto.
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Brito and Pompolo (1997). "C:G patterns and fluorochrome staining with DAPI and CMA3, in Trigona spinipes (Jurine, 1807) (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae)". Brazilian Journal of Genetics.