Narrator: This is Science Today. A Brazil-based study of stingless bees offers new insight into communication strategies when competing for food. James Nieh, an assistant professor of biology at the University of California, San Diego, says bees use two main forms of communication: sounds or dances within the hive or by leaving scent markings outside to lead the rest of the hive to food sources.

Nieh: In the research we have been doing, we found this interesting strategy where some bees don't produce a complete trail. They in fact create a short trail that just points from the nest towards the food source. But only in the last 50 or so meters to the food source, so there is a big gap there. My idea is perhaps this makes it harder to find for other bees.

Narrator: Nieh says their research may benefit drug companies interested in the medicinal value of stingless bee honey and resin.

Nieh: Knowing more about their communication system, how they find these flowers and bring back these nectars, which may have medicinal compounds, may help us.

Narrator: For Science Today, I'm Larissa Branin.