Trigonisca townsendi (Cockerell) from northwestern Peru: Taxonomic, biological, and ethnobiological notes (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.vi151.25730Abstract
Trigonisca townsendi is a tiny stingless bee from the dry forests of northwestern Peru, where it plays a role in pollination and the traditional medicinal use of honey. Trigonisca has never been comprehensively revised, making species identification difficult. Accurate taxonomy requires information on male morphology, particularly the genitalia. Here, we provide a diagnosis of T. townsendi and high-resolution images of the male genitalia to aid future taxonomic work. We also summarize its distribution, nesting biology, and cultural significance.
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