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Nectar Concentration of Flowers Preferred by Stingless Bee,
Heterotrigona itama and the Association between the Flowers
and the Bee Morphology
Nur Adawiyah binti Abdul Mutalid
Supervisor: Dr. Norasmah Binti Basari
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Nur Fariza Binti M. Shaipulah
Bachelor of Applied Science
(Biodiversity Conservation and Management)
School of Marine and Environmental Science
Heterotrigona itama is a species from Meliponini tribe that have specialized
single tooth mandible. They obtain nectar, pollen, and resin, to produce honey,
bee bread, and propolis. However, there are limited researches especially on
the nectar preferences for this species. This study was conducted to identify
the nectar concentration in selected flowers favoured by H. itama and the
relationship between the bee and the flowers’ morphology. Flowers’ nectars
were obtained from ten individuals of different flower species and the nectar
concentration was measured using a digital refractometer. The length of
flower’s tube of each species and the bee’s tongue were also measured. The
results revealed that the flowers preferred by H. itama had the concentration
ranging from 17%-42%. The preferred flower’s tube lengths were between
0.043mm-0.330mm. This study will benefit the beekeepers where more
suitable and preferred flowering plants will be planted and the meliponiculture
industry will be improved.
1729 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018