Origin of propolis and resin foraging behaviour of stingless bee Tetragonula iridipennis Smith

Abstract

Resin, a complex mixture of diverse bioactive compounds, exhibits significant chemical variability. Its collection and utilization within the hive as propolis exemplify a sophisticated behavioural defence mechanism against infections and parasites. This study investigated the botanical origins of propolis and the resin foraging behaviour of the stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith across four distinct locations in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India, for one year. The principal botanical resin sources identified were Mangifera indica L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Artocarpus altilis Parkinson, Anacardium occidentale L., Garcinia xanthochymus Hook., Garcinia cambogia Syn., and Araucaria araucana Molina. Analysis of resin foraging activity revealed a peak period between “0900 h” and “1600 h” across all locations, with maximum activity observed from “1100 h” to “1200 h”. Furthermore, the number of bees foraging at wounds on dominant resin sources was quantified. Mangifera indica (grade 4 wound) and Garcinia cambogia (grade 3 wound) exhibited the highest daily stingless bee foraging frequencies. The results highlight the ecological dependence of Tetragonula iridipennis on a range of plant resins for robust defence, demonstrating the necessity of diverse plant communities to support ecosystem services in urban agroecosystems.