Indian Journal of Entomology
Open Access
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 80
  • Issue: 3

Morphometrics of stingless bee in Southern Kerala

Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 522

*Corresponding author Email: divyakrishnan350@gmail.com

Online published on 23 October, 2018.

Abstract

Morphometrics variations of stingless bees in southern Kerala when analysed revealed significant variations within locations and between upland and midland physiographic regions. Among the 17 morphometric parameters variations observed in proboscis, forewing, femur, metatarsus and third sternite were more significant and play a prominent role to improve their pollinating and honey collecting ability. Stingless bees have a capacity to adjust their body parameters based on the available flora and physiographic regions.

Keywords

Stingless bee, morphometrics, proboscis, femur, metatarsus, sternite, tergite, tomentum, pollinating and honey collection ability