The newly discovered species, Tetragonula yikhumensis, named after Yikhum village where the first nest was collected, has been formally described as a species new to science. Bee-driven discoveryFor Odyuo, the path to stingless bee research started unexpectedly. As she learned more, she realised how little was known about stingless bee diversity in Northeast India. The perilous searchThe study involved extensive field surveys across Wokha district to locate stingless bee colonies. She also acknowledged Dr Lobeno Mozhui, Assistant Professor at Nagaland University, for her invaluable support, and Chumthungo Murry, who donated a stingless bee colony for the study.