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Table 3 Local knowledge on stingless bees at the municipality of Nocupetaro, Michoacan

From: Diversity, local knowledge and use of stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) in the municipality of Nocupétaro, Michoacan, Mexico

Local name

Taxon

Behavior (local knowledge)

Morphology (local knowledge)

Nesting

Use (product)

MI (%)

1. Abeja Bermeja

Scaptotrigona. hellwegeri

Defensive (gets tangled in the hair and bites)

Intense reddish median bee

In hollow trunks

H (m,f)

90

B (m,rm)

P (m,f)

2. A. Cepimilla

Trigonisca sp

Bee type that likes people sweat

Very small bee

In trunks, very small nests

H (m)

5

3. A. Esculcona

Partamona. bilineata

Very defensive (gets tangled in the hair and bites)

Median black Bee

Aerial and exposed nest as termite mound.

B (rm)

10

4. A. Limoncilla

Lestrimelitta. chamelensis

Docile and attack other bees

Small dark bee, with strong lemon scent

In hollow logs

H (m)

35

B (rm)

5. A. Pintilla

Unidentified

Very Defensive (gets tangled in the hair and bites

Similar to Apis mellifera in size and color

In hollow logs, cavities between the trunk and the ground

H (m,f)

5

B (m,rm)

P (m,f)

6. A. Prieta esculcona

Unidentified

--

Median and very dark bee

--

B (rm)

5

7. A. Sapito

Unidentified

Very docile and timid

Small dark bee

--

H (m,f)

5

P (m,f)

8. A. Trompetera

Nannotrigona perilampiodes

Very docile and timid

Small bee

In hollow trunks. The nest entrance is shaped trumpet (made of beeswax)

H (m,f)

5

B (m,rm)

P (m,f)

9. A. Zopilota

Frieseomelitta nigra

Docile

Median dark bee, very bright with white wing tips

In hollow logs

H (m,f)

90

B (rm)

P (m)

10. Colmena real

Melipona. fasciata

Very defensive (gets tangled in the hair and bites)

Similar to Apis mellifera in size and color

In hollow logs

H (m,f)

85

B (m,rm)

P (m,f)

11. Colmena de Tierra or Prieta de Tierra

Geotrigona acapulconis

Very docile and timid

Median bee completely dark

Buried in the ground

H (m)

80

B (r)

  1. Note. The unidentified stingless bees were referred by local experts but were not collected.
  2. (MI) Mention Index; (H) honey, (B) beeswax, (P) pollen; (m) medicinal, (f) food, (rm) raw material.