Why is the beehive fossil no wasp nest?
Exposition why the fossil is a honeycomb fossil being a stingless bee (Meliponini) nest rather than a wasp nest. Here’s Chat GPT's assessment of the strengths and potential weaknesses of the argument
Honeycomb fossil in Dominican Amber: a unique discovery
The honeycomb-like structure in Dominican amber is a subject of debate among researchers. While some argue it could have been constructed by social wasps, the prevailing consensus suggests it was likely made by a stingless bee species from the genus Melipona (Apidae: Meliponini). Key details about the specimen: Significance: This fossil nest provides rare insights into the behavior of ancient bees, particularly their social nesting habits. If confirmed as Melipona, it would reinforce the evolutionary longevity of advanced eusocial traits in stingless bees. The debate underscores the importance of verifying amber provenance and using precise morphological analysis to distinguish between bees and wasps in fossils. For further study, examining the…
Bee Hive in Amber
Nothing similar has ever been found before. Without a doubt, this is a rare fossil of hexagonal cells and an interesting object of scientific study, especially for a museum or other specialized institution. The hexagonal enclosures in this piece of amber are one of the rarest finds. Bee hive or wasp nest? Some scientists have a hard time to accept that it is possible to find part of a bee hive in amber ( https://what-when-how.com/insects/wasps-insects/ – see below). But the fossil structure does not match known wasp nest properties. Please examine the details below and judge for yourself. Wasps make their nests out of the paper they produce. Bees make…
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