Bees are known for pollination and relying on nectar and pollen. This makes the idea of a meat-eating bee seem improbable. However, some bee species have evolved to incorporate animal flesh into their diet, challenging conventional understanding.
The Rare Exception
A small group of stingless bees, primarily found in tropical Central and South America, stands out for its unusual diet. These bees are often called “vulture bees” or “carrion bees,” belonging to the genus Trigona. Unlike most bees with specialized pollen-collecting structures, these species scavenge on decaying animal remains. Their behavior was first documented in 1982 by entomologist David Roubik.
Why Bees Turn to Meat
This dietary shift to carrion consumption is an evolutionary adaptation driven by environmental factors. In their tropical habitats, competition for floral resources like nectar and pollen can be intense or seasonally limited. Decaying animal flesh, by contrast, offers a consistent and abundant protein source largely uncontested by other bee species. Vulture bees are the only known bee species to use non-plant food sources for their primary protein.
These bees possess specialized mandibles, including an extra tooth, enabling them to efficiently slice and tear off pieces of meat from carcasses. They detect dead animals from a distance and rapidly consume large quantities of flesh, often entering through eye sockets. This foraging helps them secure protein before other scavengers deplete it, demonstrating their niche.
How They Digest Flesh
Digesting decaying flesh presents challenges, including exposure to pathogens and toxins, which vulture bees overcome through biological adaptations. Their digestive systems differ from typical pollen-feeding bees, featuring a specialized gut microbiome. This microbiome is rich in acid-loving bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Carnobacterium, also found in the guts of other carrion-feeding animals like vultures and hyenas.
These bacteria break down tough animal proteins and neutralize harmful microbes in decaying meat. Before consuming the flesh, the bees coat it with their acid-rich saliva, aiding decomposition and protecting from contaminants. This allows them to efficiently extract nutrients from a food source that would be toxic or indigestible for most other bee species.
Meat’s Purpose in the Hive
Once vulture bees collect carrion, they transport it to their nests using smaller leg baskets, which in other bees carry pollen. Upon arrival, foraging bees regurgitate the collected flesh into specialized storage pots within the hive. This meat undergoes further processing by worker bees, often involving a fermentation period of about two weeks.
The processed meat is converted into a protein-rich, paste-like substance. This substance serves as the primary protein source for developing larvae, replacing pollen in other bee diets. While adult vulture bees consume sugary plant products for energy, the meat-derived substance supports the growth and development of their young, similar to royal jelly in other colonies.