"Tetragonula Carbonaria Hive Structure Characterization and Growth Mechanisms" 

Nicole Balog, MSE PhD Candidate 

Advisor: Professor Nikhilesh Chawla

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ABSTRACT

Stingless bees, native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, fulfill important duties regarding pollination, honey production, as well as enjoyment for novice and expert beekeepers. Tetragonula carbonaria is a small stingless bee native to the eastern coast of Australia with significant cultural and agricultural importance. Their visually striking comb structure, featuring a spiral or target pattern, has captivated researchers and hobbyists alike. Despite their popularity, the mechanism for construction and growth of the combs, and the materials that make-up the hive have not been thoroughly characterized for many stingless bee species. This document discusses current efforts to build models capable of mimicking the brood architectures of stingless bees and current use of x-ray computed tomography to nondestructively characterize their hives. Then current research into the materials that make-up these spectacular structures will be discussed. For all topics, gaps in existing literature will be discussed to identify areas for future research with the goal of broadening our understanding of the structure and materials of these crucial pollinators. Lessons learned from these hives can guide the design and construction of complex, specialized, and efficient structures in many fields of engineering.