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THE RECOGNITION AND TREATMENT OF VENOMOUS AND NON‐VENOMOUS INSECTS BY SMALL BEE‐EATERS
Author(s) -
Fry C. H.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1969.tb01601.x
Subject(s) - hymenoptera , biology , insect , zoology , predation , proboscis , sting , honey bee , ecology , engineering , aerospace engineering
Summary The manner in which bee‐eaters cope with the stinging honey‐bees which comprise their principal food was investigated by aviary studies of Merops bullocki. Worker Apis are de‐venomed by an innate sequence of beating the insect and rubbing its abdomen against the perch. Treatment improves with experience. Drone bees are distinguished by the birds from workers but are not instantly recognised as non‐venomous; they are subjected to low intensity rubbing combined with non‐venomous prey treatment concomitant with their size. Non‐Hymenoptera, including some insects which superficially resemble bees, are recognised as non‐venomous and are not rubbed, but are beaten until immobilized. Bee‐eaters appear to have partial immunity to venom.