AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NEInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Not Evaluated — not yet assessed against the IUCN Red List criteria.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Melipona costaricensis
Costa Rican Stingless Bee
Cockerell, 1919
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A medium-sized eusocial stingless bee characterized by its robust, slightly hairy body, dark abdomen with distinct light-colored transverse bands, and a completely vestigial, non-functional stinger.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
Reviewed by
Under Review
Other Names (Global)Regional and multilingual names used for this species across different countries and languages.
Jicote barcinoAbeja sin aguijón de Costa RicaCosta Rican stingless bee
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Arthropoda
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Insecta
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Hymenoptera
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Apidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Melipona
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Cockerell, 1919
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits primary and well-preserved secondary tropical humid forests, extending from lowlands up to premontane areas around 1400 meters. They nest exclusively inside hollow trees and log cavities.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Strictly diurnal and active. Foragers depart at sunrise to gather pollen and nectar, relying heavily on vocalized low-frequency wing vibrations (acoustic sounds) inside the hive to communicate the exact distance and quality of profitable food sources to nestmates.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Highly social and advanced eusocial organisms. Colonies are long-term, permanent structures maintaining a highly organized division of labor divided strictly among worker, male, and a single reproductive queen castes.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Diurnal obligate herbivore/nectarivore/palynivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Diet consists entirely of nectar and pollen from diverse native tropical flora. They act as essential primary pollinators and are preyed upon by specialized birds, anteaters, spiders, and larger opportunistic lizards.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
New colonies are founded via a progressive swarming process where workers transfer resources to a new site before a virgin queen arrives to execute a single, high-altitude nuptial flight with multiple outdoor aggregating males.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
0.9 - 1.2 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.06 g - 0.11 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.500 - 1000
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 15 Days
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
4 - 5
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males1 - 2 Months
Females1 - 3 Months
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males (drones) possess noticeably larger compound eyes, an elongated thoracic region, and lack both pollen-collecting baskets (corbiculae) and specialized wax glands on their bodies.
Females Multi-lang
Workers possess functional hind-leg pollen baskets (corbiculae). Queens feature a significantly enlarged, distended abdomen (physogastrism) that severely restricts flying once mating is completed.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Possess vestigial stingers that are structurally reduced and entirely non-functional, steering their evolutionary focus toward active colony-based chemical or biting defenses.
They construct localized, narrow hive entrance tubes using a mixture of mud, wax, and resins that allows only one individual to pass at a time, facilitating easier colony defense.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Severe habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation limit the availability of old, hollow nesting trees that are vital for their long-term colony survival.
Extreme vulnerability to competitive broad-spectrum agricultural pesticides and parasitic infestations by phorid flies (Pseudohypocera kerteszi) in disturbed environments.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Instead of hex-shaped horizontal combs, they build unique organic storage structures known as 'pots' or vacuoles out of cerumen to separate and house honey and pollen within the hive.