Species richness and nest entrance characteristics of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten, Indonesia

A study conducted in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesiareveals the species richness and nest entrance characteristics of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). Researchers identified 163 colonies belonging to four species: Tetragonula laeviceps, Tetragonula fuscobalteata, Heterotrigona itama, and Lepidotrigona terminata. L. terminata was the most dominant (44%), while T. laeviceps followed closely at 41%. Nesting sites varied significantly, with T. laeviceps showing adaptability by using residential cavities, bamboo, tree holes, and abandoned ant nests, whereas T. fuscobalteata preferred rock holes and tree cavities. The study highlights the unique nest entrance characteristics of these species, contributing new distribution records for stingless bees in this protected area.

MIHARJA, J., ATMOWIDI, T., PRIAWANDIPUTRA, W., PERWITASARI, D., & KAHONO, S. (2025). Species richness and nest entrance characteristics of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 25(12). https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d251233