e-ISSN 2231-8542
ISSN 1511-3701
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