Size variation and egg laying performance in Plebeia remota queens ( Hymenoptera , Apidae , Meliponini ) * , * *

Stingless bees may produce both large queens and "miniature" queens, but the adaptive significance of this is uncertain. Using biometry and statistical analysis we determined the proportion of miniature queens in Plebeia remota that were either mated (14%) or virgin (45%). Mated queens were mostly normalsized which indicated that they were more successful. Nevertheless, the presence of miniature mated queens heading colonies confirmed that they also are viable. The egg-laying capacity of mated queens of different sizes was determined using colony exchange experiments. The results showed that egg laying is not influenced by size differences. Therefore, miniature mated queens may be as successful in laying eggs as normal-sized queens. Finally we discuss some ultimate hypotheses for why miniature queens are produced. queen size variation /miniature queen / egg laying / stingless bee / Plebeia remota