Costa Rica has discovered a carnivorous bee species: the vulture bee.
Bees that eat meat!
This is what a carnivorous bee colony looks like.
The vulture bee, has converted pollen into meat, and its honey is edible.
A study published by the American Society for Microbiology revealed the existence of bee species that have altered their eating habits, replacing pollen with meat. This species is known as the vulture bee.
Found in tropical forests, this species has intestines similar to those of carrion animals, and even contains bacteria that aid in its digestion.
The vulture bee is endemic to Costa Rica and lacks a stinger. It is believed to have evolved over the years as a result of competition for nectar.
Vulture bees are bees that do not feed on nectar or flowers, but have a voracious appetite for meat. Found in Central and South America, they will feed on the remains of any dead creature, storing the decaying flesh in their stomachs. These stomachs contain special bacteria in their intestines that help digest the proteins in the meat and convert them into usable food, similar to the digestive systems of hyenas and vultures.
Their hives are completely different in shape from the typical hexagonal beehive, and their honey is a reddish-brown color. It is very safe thanks to its strict ability to separate vomit from honey.
Sources BBC,