Melipona scutellaris is a eusocial stingless bee species of the order Hymenoptera and the genus Melipona. It is considered to be the reared Melipona species with the largest distribution in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, with records from Rio Grande do Norte down to Bahia. Its common name, Uruçu, comes from the Tupi "eiru su", which in this indigenous language means "big bee". Their honey is highly desirable and the materials they create for nests have been proven to be a promising source of antibiofilm agents and to present selectivity against human cancer cell lines at low concentrations compared to normal cells.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Melipona scutellaris being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Melipona favosa
- Melipona marginata
- Nomia thoracica
- Melipona eburnea
- Melipona quinquefasciata
- Thygater analis
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Apidae
- Genus
- Melipona
- Species
- Melipona scutellaris
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo