Bee Behaviour, Bee-Plant Relations and Beekeeping development, especially of Tropical Bees

• The study of the behavioural ecology of social bees in the tropics is important for fundamental behavioural research. Most social (colony-living) bees, more than 500 species, are tropical. Only less than five social bee species occur in temperate regions. The social bees are a major pollinator group, first of the natural tropical flora, but also of cultivated crops. Through their pollinating impact these bees are of great importance to the tropical environment. More about the programme.
  
  
  
  Melipona favosa, large storage pots for honey and pollen in periphery of nest. Bees of this colony are individually marked  for behavioural observation.
   
• Entomologendag 2009 / Entomology Meeting 2009
• Publications of Marinus J. Sommeijer
• PhD - theses
• Curriculum vitae
• Education
  • Master Projects
• Programa Regional de Apicultura Y Meliponicultura (PRAM)
• Research Projects
• EU Project Promabos
• Map of Costa Rica
• Apimondia
• Nectar
• A new type of hive for keeping stingless bees
• Why do workers of Melipona favosa chase their sister-gynes out of the nest?
   

THE SOCIAL ETHOLOGY OF TROPICAL BEES
Behavioural Biology
Department of Biology of Utrecht University
Dr. Marinus J. Sommeijer
M.J.Sommeijer@uu.nl