Evolution of social hymenopterans

The relationship between fossil and present-day insects is examined in the framework of paleoentomological research at the Center of Natural History. The Focus of this research is on social hymenopterans. In the past years it could be found out that the honeybee species Apis mellifera may have developed in Europe and used Africa as refugium during past ice ages. The amber collection at CeNak plays an important role in this research.