Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Guardian Melipona bee protecting the colony

Guardian Melipona bee monitors the entry and exit of the other members of the colony and ensures that bees entering are part of this hive. This is a stingless bee which produce a high quality honey. They have been used by the mayan culture for centuries in their rituals, due to it is believed they are messengers between this world and the underworld.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2015
Date Uploaded: 08.2016
Photo Location: Calkini, Mexico
Camera: NIKON D3300
Copyright: © Carolina Nunez