Bees - Differences

So, while I was checking the hives today, I thought you all might enjoy to actually see what I am looking at. It is much different than back home!

These are a few example of the hives I am working with. I have some that are much much smaller however. I will have to put those on another day. 

 These are my hives back home before I left. I think they might be even bigger now!

 This is the Meliponula Ferruginea species. They remind me of very small flies.  

  

This is the Hypotrigona Gribodoi species. They are insanely small, and the only thing I could compare it too is being just a bit larger than a gnat. Their hive is probably about 4in x 4in x 4in box. I can hold it in the palm of my hand. I can honestly say I had not held I hive in my palm until I came here.

This is the Apis mellifera species, which we know as the honeybee. This is not my hive, but I wanted you to see the difference.

I hope this gave you an idea of what I am working with and how it is much different from what I am used to back home. It is much different than the bees and hives I learned about from Mr. Bill Lillie (My mentor back home) a few years ago! But I can assure you the honey is just as good :)