Greco, M. K., Welz, P. M., Siegrist, M., Ferguson, S. J., Gallmann, P., Roubik, David Ward, and Engel, M. S. 2011. "Description of an ancient social bee trapped in amber using diagnostic radioentomology." Insectes Sociaux, 58, (4) 487–494. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-011-0168-8.
The application of non-invasive imaging technologies using X-radiation (diagnostic radioentomology, 'DR') is demonstrated for the study of amber-entombed social bees. Here, we examine the external and internal morphology of an Early Miocene (Burdigalian) stingless bee (Apinae: Meliponini) from the Dominican Republic using non-destructive X-ray microtomography analysis. The study permits the accurate reconstruction of features otherwise obscured or impossible to visualize without destroying the sample and allows diagnosis of the specimen as a new species, Proplebeia adbita Greco and Engel.
