Kumara, T. K., Farisya, M. S. N., Wan Noor Aida, W. M., Suhaimi Omar, Marcela, P. and Aurifullah, M.
Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 39, Issue 3, August 2016
Keywords: Stingless bee, pre-mix, urine, bait preference
Published on: 12 July 2016
Stingless bees are dispersed throughout Malaysia and form an important group of pollinators in agriculture and natural ecosystems. A study was conducted at Lojing Highland in Kelantan, Malaysia on the preference of stingless bees towards pre-mix bait [sugar and salt (1:2) (sugar: water:v:v)] with 2.5g NaCl added per 500 ml of solution] and urine bait for two consecutive days. A total of 285 stingless bees of 15 species were sampled for this purpose. Overall, stingless bees showed no preference for either bait, but a closer examination showed species-level preferences. Five species preferred urine bait over pre-mix bait, and another eight preferred pre-mix bait over urine bait. No significant differences were found on stingless bees preferences towards pre-mix bait and urine baits (p>0.05). Five stingless bee species (Lisotrigona scintillans, Pariotrigona pendleburyi, Lepidotrigona ventralis, Tetrigona apicalis, and Tetragonula collina) were found to be frequently attracted to the urine bait compared with pre-mix bait. Meanwhile, eight stingless bee species attracted to pre-mix bait compared with urine bait. This study shows that stingless bees' preference for pre-mix or urine baits depends on species.
ISSN 1511-3701
e-ISSN 2231-8542