Plebeia quadripunctata

Plebeia quadripunctata is a small stingless bee that occurs from central Brazil through Argentina, formerly included in the genus Trigona. It is the sole member of the subgenus (Schwarziana), which has historically been treated by some authors as a separate genus, though the most recent taxonomic revision^[1] places it among the Plebeia species, albeit an atypical member of the group. It is larger (6.0-7.5 mm) than most members of the genus, and the male genital armature and mode of queen production are quite unusual.

Behavior

In this species, although less than 1% of female worker cells produce dwarf queens, they comprise six out of seven queen bees, and one out of five proceed to head colonies of their own. They are reproductively active but less fecund than large queens.^[2] No other stingless bees are known to share this phenomenon of dwarf queen production.

References