Arapuá bee

Description:

The Irapuã bee has a shiny black color. Measures from 6.5 mm to 7 mm in length, with ocher legs and almost black wings, in the basal half, and lighter, in the apical half. It does not have a stinger, but it gets tangled aggressively in the victims' hair and hair. This happens because your body is normally covered with tree resins, such as pine or eucalyptus. When it feels threatened, it penetrates victims' orifices, such as ears and nostrils. The Irapuã nest is globose, half a meter in diameter and brown in color, built between the branches of the trees. The entrance is wide and oval with internal wax lamellae. Inside, the presence of a consistent mass composed of different materials, such as cocoon remains, rotten wood, excrement and resins, stands out. To obtain the resins, Irapuá cuts the vegetable tissues with its jaws, which are well developed, and collects the substances that overflow from the plants.

Habitat:

A small park in a major city.

Notes:

Honey The honey produced by Irapuã is stored in the hive, in large cells, known as pots of wax. This honey is very much in demand, as it has medicinal properties. It is worth remembering that, however tasty this honey is, it needs to be treated with pasteurization or other methods, because as it usually collects animal feces, its honey may contain fecal coliforms, making it dangerous to health.