Mutualistic interactions between fire bees and treehoppers data

In this study, we report the first ecological record of <i>Oxytrigona banana</i> Lepeco, 2024, a recently described stingless bee, interacting with the treehopper <i>Aetalion reticulatum</i> (Linnaeus, 1767). To investigate this relationship, we visually surveyed vegetation up to three meters in height and conducted focal observations over two non-consecutive days, from 6:00 to 18:00, recording bee and treehopper numbers in each aggregation for 10 minutes every hour. Additional interactions with other organisms, including researchers, were noted ad libitum. We also reviewed published and citizen science records of <i>Oxytrigona </i>species collecting honeydew from treehoppers. Our results revealed a strong positive correlation between the number of <i>O. banana</i> individuals and the number of treehoppers per aggregation (R = 0.99; p &lt; 0.001) confirming our hypothesis that the number of bees collecting honeydew would be correlated to the number of treehoppers in the aggregations. During interactions, bees consistently contacted treehoppers with their legs and antennae before collecting honeydew. Aggressive behaviors were also observed toward other bees and human observers. Our review compiled 34 records of <i>Oxytrigona </i>species collecting honeydew from five treehopper species, including several new records. These findings provide the first ecological insights into <i>O. banana</i> and significantly expand the known scope of <i>Oxytrigona</i>–treehopper mutualisms.