Nannotrgiona tristella (Cockerell, 1922)

Figure 7

Nannotrigona testaceicornis tristella Cockerell, 1922: 10 [holotype: USNM 24878; worker, Lagunita de Aroa, Venezuela]

Diagnosis. This species is morphologically very similar to N. mellaria . It can be distinguished from that species by the features indicated in the key. It also resembles N. occidentalis in the reduced or faint integumental maculae on mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. However, in that species the posterior emargination of the mesoscutellum is much wider (1.8–2.0 width of axilla in N. occidentalis vs. 1.5–1.6 width of axilla in N. tristella). In addition, N. occidentalis is currently known from western Colombia and Province of Darién, Panama).

Distribution. This species is found in Colombia and Venezuela. In Colombia, it occurs in sympatry with N. gaboi and N. mellaria in the Andean and Caribbean regions (Fig. 7).

Comments. Considering its distribution in Colombia, it is likely that this species is also commonly used in meliponiculture along with N. gaboi and N. mellaria .