A carpenter bee (Xylocopa latipes, subfamily Xylocopinae). This disconcertingly large Hymenopteran (possibly the largest known species, shown about twice life-size) was flitting from flower to flower at the Botanic Gardens, alarming visiting monkeys and browsing cows. Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees (Bombus spp., not present in Singapore) but can be distinguished by the lack of hair on the upper part of their abdomen. Some local species are known for being buzz pollinators of secondary forest plants such as Sendudok (the so-called Singapore Rhododendron), Tiup Tiup and Simpoh Air. Their common and latin name (Xylon is greek for wood) refers to their habit of boring holes in wood to make nests. Thanks to Vespa bicolor for the ID! Locally there are 4-5 Xylocopa species, including X. caerulea which is bright blue in colour and even one rarely seen nocturnal species, X. tranquebarica!
A group of these little brown bees were busily gathering sap that was seeping out of a tree trunk. They plunged into the fissure and emerge with their legs glistening with gummy exudate. Maybe it tastes like maple syrup. Vespa bicolor informs me that these are stingless bees (Trigona spp. and Melipona spp.) that use the resin to build their nests.
An old post on local wasps is now updated.
Cool Bees!
Posted by: Jenn | 31 December 2006 at 01:04 PM