Tetragonula hockingsi, often called the sugarbag bee, is a species native to Australia. These small bees are a type of stingless bee, belonging to the tribe Meliponini, which encompasses around 500 species globally. Their name honors Harold J. Hockings, an early observer of Australia’s stingless bees whose notes were published in 1884.
Identifying Tetragonula Hockingsi and Its Home
Tetragonula hockingsi bees are small, with worker bees measuring between 4.1 and 4.5 millimeters in body length. They are characterized by their jet-black body color. The sides of their thorax are densely and evenly covered with fine, short hair, which helps distinguish them from similar species.
This species is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Australia, including Queensland (from the Gold Coast to Cape York) and parts of the Northern Territory. They prefer to nest in hollow dead trees or logs, as well as rock crevices and other sheltered locations. Their nests can reach approximately 10 liters in volume.
The Unique Social Life of These Bees
Tetragonula hockingsi colonies can house up to 10,000 workers led by a single queen. Young worker bees typically focus on tasks like cleaning, constructing brood cells, and collecting honey. As they mature, middle-aged bees often build or maintain food pots or supporting structures. The oldest bees commonly take on more exposed roles such as guarding and foraging.
These bees are stingless. When their nest is threatened, they launch defensive swarms, biting intruders with their strong mandibles, often targeting soft areas like eyes and ears. They also use propolis barriers to defend their nests, creating a long entrance tube inside the hive that is guarded by bees to prevent enemies from entering. Entrance holes are kept minimal, usually a single opening measuring 8 to 12 millimeters. If a predator enters, the bees may cover the invader with wax until it becomes entombed.
Their nests are constructed from a mixture of wax and plant resin, known as propolis, which is used for building brood cells and storing food. Unlike some other stingless bee species that build spiral brood combs, Tetragonula hockingsi constructs brood cells in small, irregular horizontal combs, forming loose aggregations with spaces between cells. These horizontal layers are supported by vertical wax pillars, allowing bees to move between layers.
Beyond Pollination: What These Bees Offer
Tetragonula hockingsi bees are important pollinators within their native Australian ecosystems. They are effective in pollinating small flowers less accessible to larger bee species. This pollination contributes to the health and biodiversity of native Australian flora, including plants like eucalyptus, acacia, and melaleuca.
These bees produce a unique type of honey, often referred to as “sugarbag honey,” which has a distinct flavor different from other kinds of honey. This honey is stored in resinous pots made from a mixture of beeswax and plant resin, commonly known as “sugar bags.” While the volume of honey produced by individual stingless bee colonies is small, typically around 1 kilogram per year, it is valued for its unique taste and properties. Stingless bee honey contains trehalulose, a low glycemic index sugar, and exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
In addition to honey, Tetragonula hockingsi also produces propolis, a resinous material collected from plants. This propolis is used in nest construction, for sealing walls, and making brood cells. Studies indicate that propolis from stingless bees can have higher antimicrobial activity compared to that produced by European honey bees. The practice of keeping stingless bees, known as meliponiculture, is growing in Australia, allowing for the management of these hives for both pollination benefits and the careful extraction of their unique honey and propolis.