Social encapsulation of beetle parasites by Cape honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera capensis Esch.) |
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Authors: | Neumann P Pirk C W Hepburn H R Solbrig A J Ratnieks F L Elzen P J Baxter J R |
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Institution: | Martin-Luther-Universit?t Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Zoologie/Molekulare Okologie, Halle/Saale, Germany. p.neumann@zoologie.uni-halle.de |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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