D3477: First record of Lepidotrigona arcifera (Cockerell) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini), its nesting biology, and cultural importance from Nepal

Lepidotrigona arcifera (Cockerell) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) is recorded for the first time from Nepal. Multiple nests of this species were observed both in domestication and in wild from Salakpur, Ambetar, and Suntung villages of the Ilam district in the eastern region of the country. Nest architectures were recorded and samples of bees were collected during the opportunistic sampling conducted during summer 2022. We found the nests of Lepidotrigona arcifera inside the cavities of medium to very large canopy trees of economic and cultural importance, such as trees used as timber and animal feed. Local people have been practicing traditional meliponiculture by extracting those natural nests as log hives. In addition, we documented knowledge of its behavior and its cultural importance to the local community.