Tetragonula yikhumensis

Tetragonula yikhumensis Latest News

A team of researchers recently discovered a new species of stingless bee named Tetragonula yikhumensis in Wokha district, Nagaland.

About Tetragonula yikhumensis

• It is a new species of stingless bee.
• It was discovered in Wokha district, Nagaland.
• It is named after Yikhum village, where it was first collected.
• It is a subterranean species that nests underground and is distinguished by its size, unique morphology, and nest architecture.      
• It measures about 5.59 mm in body length, making it the largest stingless bee recorded in India. 
• The discovery increases the number of stingless bee species known from India from 25 to 26, while the genus Tetragonula now comprises 18 species in the country. 
• It is only the second underground-nesting species of the genus documented in India. 
• Researchers found that the colonies were built more than two metres below the ground. 
• The nests comprised distinct chambers for honey, pollen, and brood, protected by hard layers of batumen and connected to the surface through narrow entrance tunnels. 
• The Lotha community in Wokha refers to these subterranean stingless bees as “litsuk”, or “ground bees”, and highly values their honey and bee pollen for their medicinal properties.

News: EMN

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