Preliminar report on the presence of tegumentar glands in the thorax of Meliponinae bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Abstract

This is a first report on the presence of glandular cells in the lateral tegument of the mesothorax of Meliponinae bees. The cells are of the insect class III glandular cells and are present in queens, workers and males. The glands are more developed in queens than in workers, and in workers than in males.