MORPHOMETRIC STUDIES OF STINGLESS WORKER BEES (TETRAGONULA PAGDENI) IN SINDEWAHI REGION DISTRICT CHANDRAPUR (M.S.), INDIA

Abstract

Tetragonula pagdeni (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is an ecologically and economically valuable
stingless bee species vital for crops and wild flora pollination. This study evaluated the morphometric
characteristics of T. pagdeni worker bees to establish precise baseline morphological data for species
identification and population assessment. A total of 15 worker bees were sampled from hive entrances
across three distinct geographic sites, preserved in ethanol, and dissected for detailed examination of
eleven key morphological observations. The study reports the average morphological measurements
of the specimens. The average body length is 3.88±0.12 mm, with the head measuring 1.49±0.03 mm
in length and 2.18±0.06 mm in width. Antennal length is recorded at 1.87±0.11 mm, thorax length at
1.42±0.05 mm, and thorax width at 1.55±0.02 mm. The abdomen length averages 2.05±0.10 mm.
Forewing measurements include a length of 3.40±0.08 mm and a width of 1.37±0.05 mm, while
hindwings measure 2.61±0.08 mm in length and 0.61±0.03 mm in width. The number of hamules
averaged at 5.00±0.00. These morphometric parameters provide crucial reference metrics for
taxonomic differentiation, population variability assessments, and meliponiculture management of T.
pagdeni