and bumblebees (Bombus). It is from the tribe Meliponini, which comprises all of the genera of stingless bees. The genus Trigona contains some of the most populous species among the stingless bees. Description and identification Trigona spinipes constructs large external nests in trees. Compared to other Trigona species such as T. hyalinata, T. spinipes nests are built quite high above the ground. They are usually built on forks between tree branches 4–7 meters from the ground and can be as large as 50–60 cm long and 50–60 cm wide. The nest material consists of mud, wax, plant fragments, and resins. The honeycombs within the nest contain the brood of eggs, larvae and pupae along within stores of honey and pollen. Early studies of T. spinipes nests noted the presence of a dense internal structure referred to as the “scutellum” which was often used to paralyze fish because of its high content of acetylcholine. This dense structure consists of nest waste such as adult bee excrements and its primary role is suggested to be an internal support upon which honeycombs are built. As for diet, Trigona spinipes has been known to collect pollen from a variety of plants, especially Eucalyptus spp., Aloe sp., and Archontophonix sp. Distribution and habitat Trigona spinipes is quite common in large areas of Brazil as well as Paraguay, Argentina, and other parts of South America. It inhabits a variety of habitats including the cerrado (neotropical savannah), and tropical forests. Studies concerning Trigona spinipes have largely been conducted in Eastern and Southeastern Brazilian states such as São Paulo, Alagoas and Minas Gerais. Colony cycle For Trigona spinipes, the act of colony initiation is not tied to changes in seasons – which are minimal in the tropic regions that it resides – but rather new colonies emerge as needed. Like other Meliponini bees, new Trigona spinipes colonies begin with swarms. Virgin queens emerge from the nests where they were born and fly with swarms of female workers to a new nesting spot. Drawn by an odor emitting from the virgin queen colony, males aggregate outside of the new nesting spot waiting for the queen to emerge. The queen then flies out for a single mating and returns to the nest. Within 6 months, a nest can reach full physical size. In terms of number of bees, Trigona spinipes form some of the largest stingless bee colonies in the