A review of the nest-entrance lurkers of meliponine bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Stingless bees (Tribe Meliponini) are a group of considerable biological, economic, and cultural value. Despite their significance, information about their natural enemies remains limited, particularly regarding animals that lurk at the hive entrances and prey on bees entering and exiting the colonies. This study reviews the literature documenting these interactions. A total of 15 publications were compiled, detailing 41 records of 33 different organisms acting as nest-entrance ambushers. In addition, the mantid Acontista cordillerae Saussure & Zehntner (Mantodea: Acanthopidae) is reported for the first time ambushing bees at nests of Scaptotrigona mexicana (Guérin-Meneville) in a meliponary in central Veracruz, Mexico. The dynamics among the ambush predators and other social bees are discussed, including their defense strategies and nest structures.