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Social encapsulation of beetle parasites by Cape honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera capensis Esch.)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 05:23 authored by P Neumann, C Pirk, H Hepburn, A Solbrig, Francis Ratnieks, P Elzen, J Baxter
Worker honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis) encapsulate the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida), a nest parasite, in propolis (tree resin collected by the bees). The encapsulation process lasts 1-4 days and the bees have a sophisticated guarding strategy for limiting the escape of beetles during encapsulation. Some encapsulated beetles died (4.9%) and a few escaped (1.6%). Encapsulation has probably evolved because the small hive beetle cannot easily be killed by the bees due to its hard exoskeleton and defensive behaviour.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Die Naturwissenschaften

ISSN

0028-1042

Volume

88

Page range

214-216

Pages

3.0

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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