Saak Xic
| Scientific name | Mayan name | Español | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frieseomelitta nigra | Saak Xic | Zopilota | Buzzard Bee, White-Winged Bee |
The Saak Xik, or Frieseomelitta nigra, is a master of resin. Unlike other stingless bees that rely heavily on wax, this species is a specialist in gathering plant resins and balsams, which it uses to construct its nest and defend its colony. The source of its Mayan name is the translucent, milky-white hue of its wings, which contrast sharply against its dark, slender body. When they swarm or hover in the sun, they appear like tiny shimmering ghosts around the hive entrance.
The Spanish name, Zopilota, translates to Buzzard Bee, and is a direct reference to the bee's physical appearance. Much like the vulture it is named after, the bee has a dark, jet-black body contrasted by distinct white tips on its wings.
A unique architectural quirk of the Frieseomelitta nigra is that they do not store their food in the large, interconnected "grape-like" clusters common to other stingless bees. Instead, they build individual, isolated pots for honey and pollen. This "scatter-storage" strategy is thought to be a defense mechanism; if a parasite or predator breaches one pot, the rest of the hive's resources remain sealed and uncontaminated. This makes them incredibly resilient and "tidy" inhabitants of the tropical dry forest.
In the Yucatan, the Saak Xik is highly valued not for the quantity of its honey, but for the potency of its propolis. Because they are resin specialists, the medicinal "glue" they produce is exceptionally rich in antimicrobial and antifungal compounds. Traditional healers use this resin to treat deep wounds and persistent skin ailments. Scientific research has shown their honey to have high efficiency at chelating metal ions, making it a promising candidate for treating heavy metal poisoning.