Cerumen collection accompanied by thieving and attacking in a stingless bee, Nannotrigona ( Scaptorigona) postica (Latreille), with a consideration on territoriality in social insects

Abstract

The cerumen collecting behavior of a stingless bee, Nannotrigona (Scaptotrigona) postica Latreille was observed. The behavior pattern seen in this activity resembles that in the propolis collecting of the honeybee, except for the peculiar raising of hind legs. Beside sueh normal collecting, the thieving of the ready-made cerumen loads from the hind legs of other individuals was frequently seen, which often resulted in secondary thieving by the robbed bees. Furthermore, the attacks of N. postica on honeybees working at the same place was occasionally observed. In connection with the fact that such attacks did not possess the role of territorial defense, a brief commentary is given concerning territorial defense in social insects.