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Research on the food sources used by bees in agricultural landscapes is crucial to promote pollinator conservation measures in and around cultivated areas. This investigation aims to identify and quantify the pollen resources exploited by Schwarziana quadripunctata (Lepeletier 1836), assessing the trophic niche of this bee in agricultural areas with coffee plantations. Pollen analysis was conducted based on the pollen load of the corbiculae of 70 bees, sampled during the flowering period of two species of coffee trees in commercial plantations located in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states, Brazil, in 2019 and 2021. A total of 78 pollen types from 23 botanical families were identified, with Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora comprising 92% of the samples. Cestrum sp. (2.3% – Solanaceae), Fabaceae sp. 1 (0.9%), Solanum sp. (0.75% – Solanaceae) and Chamaecrista sp. (0.71% – Fabaceae) were the next most prevalent. The dominance of the coffee tree pollen confirms the floral constancy of S. quadripunctata during periods of intense flowering. Excluding coffee pollen, the most represented families were Solanaceae (46.6% of the samples), Fabaceae (27.5%), Rubiaceae (8.51%), and Meliaceae (2.53%). The findings reveal that S. quadripunctata actively forages from sources other than coffee, even during the intense flowering of these plants, highlighting the importance of floral resources in the proximity of plantations. The use of pollen sources beyond the coffee tree highlights the importance of conserving nearby forest fragments and maintaining a diverse array of plants surrounding coffee trees even during coffee flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-harvest heating on honey is crucial for moisture reduction, microbial inhibition, and crystallization prevention, yet it can diminish bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. This study aims to investigate the impact of heating on the antioxidant properties of Indonesian honey, encompassing three Apini and three Meliponini honey types. While all samples exhibited changes in antioxidant properties post-heating, Apini honey displayed a more consistent pattern compared to Meliponini honey. The DPPH assay, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content consistently indicated a decline in antioxidants at lower temperatures and short durations of heating, followed by an increase at high temperatures and longer duration, suggesting a compensation mechanism through the generation of new antioxidants via Maillard's reaction. However, the ferric reducing power assay revealed a consistent decrease in antioxidants post-heating for Apini honey, indicating damage to natural antioxidants without compensation, whereas Meliponini honey displayed irregular dynamics, suggesting both damage and formation of antioxidants. The Apini honey showed the best antioxidant properties at high temperatures (100℃), whereas Meliponini honey showed an optimum at low temperature (50℃) for extended durations or medium temperature (75℃) for shorter durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine species distribution by observing the stingless bees cultivated by the community in South Sumatra Province using meliponiculture. By visiting boxes and studying the entrance and characteristics of stingless bee hives at each research location, bee samples were obtained in six districts or cities where beekeepers exist. The study was conducted from January 2023 to May 2023. The type of bee species was identified in each culture box, the diameter of the entrance was measured, and the diameters of the honey pot and brood cell pot were measured. A descriptive analysis was performed to gain an overview of each entrance and nest. Based on the identification results, eight different varieties of stingless bees were discovered. Each research site had an unequal distribution of the eight varieties of bees. Lepidotrigona terminata, Heterotrigona itama, Lophotrigona canifrons, Geniotrigona thoracica, Tetrigona apicalis, Tetragonula testaceitarsis, Tetragonula fuscobalateata, and Tetragonula laeviceps are examples of stingless bees. Variations in the size of identified stingless bees affect the size of the hive, brood cell, honey pot, and entrance. The nest, brood cells, honey pot, and entrance grow in proportion to the size of the stingless bee. Differences in the form and size of the entrance can also distinguish between species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees use resins for nest construction, colony defense, and production of cerumen, propolis, and geopropolis. Despite their importance, resin foraging interactions are neglected in stingless bee ecology, so a synthesis is required to map how much we currently know about this topic. In addition, what kind of networks do those interactions form? The Integrative Hypothesis of Specialization (IHS) may provide a cognitive map to generate predictions and interpret results. Specifically, resin heterogeneity, phylogeny, and geography may create interaction constraints that generate a modular or compound topology in resin foraging networks. Here we systematically reviewed resin foraging interactions with a multilayer network approach accounting for biogeographical structure. A total of 1,037 bee–plant resin foraging interactions were retrieved and Anacardiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae were identified as the most frequently visited plant families worldwide. As deduced from the IHS, we found a modular topology in most cases. A compound topology was only found with a less conservative approach considering all data. In most cases, Mantel tests revealed that interactions, modules, and layers are constrained by phylogeny and geography. Our results suggest that closely related species tend to interact with similar plant genera and from the same biogeographical region. Body size was positively correlated with centrality, indicating that larger bees use highly connected plants. We hope our findings highlight the ecological patterns and drivers that shape resin foraging interactions in stingless bees. Moreover, we discuss methodological recommendations and knowledge gaps, helping to guide future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini), a group of mainly tropical, highly social bees, rely predominantly on passive thermoregulatory mechanisms for maintaining a nest-microclimate suitable for brood development. Even so, temperatures in the brood region are usually above temperatures in the nests' periphery, which cannot be explained through passive thermoregulation alone. In the present study, we investigated temperature variations in nests of Melipona scutellaris throughout the year as well as the effective contribution of brood thermogenesis to the thermal dynamics under experimental simulations. The incubation temperatures in this stingless bee species varied significantly with ambient laboratory temperature. Thus, despite a constant temperature excess in the brood area, colonies did not control incubation temperature in a strict homeostatic manner but rather showed a heterothermic behaviour. At ambient temperatures of 25–32.5 °C, brood thermogenesis increased the temperature in the combs' close surroundings by up to 4 °C, therewith explaining part of the temperature excess in the brood area. The residual thermal increase by almost 7° at ambient temperatures of 15 °C was, presumably, attributed to active heating by the adults. The elevated metabolic activity of the pupae between 25 and 32.5 °C suggests a lower thermal range for brood development in M. scutellaris. The adaptive advantages of both colony heterothermy and reduced incubation temperatures in the threatened native habitat of this stingless bee species, the Atlantic Rainforest in north-eastern Brazil, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The current state of anthropogenic climate change is particularly concerning for tropical insects, species predicted to be the most negatively affected. Researching climatic tolerance in social insects is challenging because adaptations exist at both individual and societal levels. Division of labor research helps to bridge the gap between our understanding of these adaptations at different scales, which is important because social insects comprise a tremendous portion of global animal biomass, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Considering how individual physiologies construct group-level adaptations can improve climate change impact assessments for social species. Tetragonisca angustula is a neotropical stingless bee species that exhibits high worker subcaste specialization with a morphologically distinct soldier caste. Methods: We used this species to investigate 1) whether age-and size-differentiated subcastes differ in thermal tolerance, 2) which worker subcaste operates closest to their thermal limits, and 3) the extent to which this species selects active foraging times to offset thermal stress. We measured the thermal tolerance (CTmax and CTmin) of small-bodied foragers and two soldier subcastes (hovering guards and standing guards) in T. angustula. Results and discussion: Despite body size differences between foragers and guards, no differences in the upper or lower thermal limits were observed. However, the average thermal tolerance breadth of foragers was significantly larger than that of guards, and foraging sites were more thermally variable than nest sites, supporting the Climatic Variability Hypothesis at a microclimate scale and in the context of division of labor. Warming tolerance was significantly lower among small-bodied foragers compared to hovering and standing guards. The magnitude of warming tolerances indicated low risk of imminent climate change impacts in this environment but suggests that increasing temperatures and heatwave prevalence may cause foragers to meet their upper thermal limits before other subcastes. Foraging occurred at a narrower range of temperatures than would challenge critical temperatures, with higher morning activity. Directionally increasing temperatures will likely confine these preferred foraging temperatures to a narrower time window. Further study is needed to elucidate how foragers may shift times of activity in response to anthropogenic warming, but changing climates may impact plant pollination rates in natural and agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a multi-billion-dollar business. This tropical crop strongly depends on animal pollination for fruit development and seed production. The lack or inefficiency of natural pollinators in cocoa plantations has driven farmers to search for alternatives, such as laborious pollination by hand. A so far untested alternative, which has received increasing attention during the past couple of years, is targeted crop pollination through managed social bees. However, owing to the smallness of the flowers of T. cacao as well as structural barriers that impede large insects to access the stigma, only tiny bees may be a viable option for targeted cocoa pollination. In the present study, we asked whether small stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini) could come into consideration as managed cocoa crop-pollinators, especially in shadowy agroforests. Among the 188 meliponine species native to the Brazilian Amazon region, which comprises an important portion of the center of origin of T. cacao, we selected 52 species based on morphological criteria (intertegular distance ≤ 1.4 mm; body length: 2.2–6.0 mm). Important for cocoa production, some of these Meliponini have an ample geographic distribution, occurring both in the center of origin of T. cacao and beyond (centers of cocoa production in Brazil: Pará: 35 spp., Bahia: 10 spp.). Presumably all species may be active at illuminance levels below those found in heavily shaded cocoa plantations, at least at times when anthers show full dehiscence and during maximum receptivity of the stigma. The bees’ potential to forage under reduced light regimes is corroborated by the finding that between 20 and 60% of the naturally exploited food sources are understory vegetation, including herbs, subshrubs, shrubs, and lianas. Many of the selected Meliponini build their nests, at least facultatively, in tree cavities, which facilitates their transfer to rational hives and, hence, the use of managed colonies in directed crop pollination. Important next steps for validating the potential of these small stingless bees in targeted cocoa pollination should comprise detailed studies on their foraging behavior and olfactory learning capacities.

Abstract Background The highly eusocial stingless bees are crucial pollinators of native and agricultural ecosystems. Nevertheless, genomic studies within this bee tribe remain scarce. We present the genome assembly of the stingless bee Melipona bicolo r. This bee is a remarkable exception to the typical single-queen colony structure, since in this species, multiple queens may coexist and share reproductive duties, resulting in genetically diverse colonies with weak kinship connections. As the only known genuinely polygynous bee, M. bicolor’s genome provides a valuable resource for investigating sociality beyond kin selection. Results The genome was assembled employing a hybrid approach combining short and long reads, resulting in 241 contigs spanning 259 Mb (N50 of 6.2 Mb and 97.5% complete BUSCOs). Comparative analyses shed light on some evolutionary aspects of stingless bee genomics, including multiple chromosomal rearrangements in Melipona. Additionally, we explored the evolution of venom genes in M. bicolor and other stingless bees, revealing that, apart from two genes, the conserved repertoire of venom components remains under purifying selection in this clade. Conclusion This study advances our understanding of stingless bee genomics, contributing to the conservation efforts of these vital pollinators and offering insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving their unique adaptations.

Stingless bees are important pollinators in tropical and subtropical areas. The breeding of native stingless bee species from the Meliponini tribe to obtain honey, pollen, and geopropolis (meliponiculture) is a promising activity in Brazil with economic, social, and environmental impacts. Stingless bees can share food sources with Apis mellifera and other insects that can be vectors of pathogens. Here, we investigated seven stingless bee species from Brazil (Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, Melipona scutellaris, Nannotrigona testaceicornis, Partamona helleri, Scaptotrigona xanthotricha, Tetragonisca angustula, and Trigona spinipes) screening for seven of the most common pathogenic viruses (ABPV, IAPV, BQCV, CBPV, SBV, KBV, and DWV) in A. mellifera in summer and winter seasons. All seven stingless bee species studied were positive for ABPV and IAPV (only in M. quadrifasciata anthidioides and T. spinipes), while ABPV was found in samples from summer and winter, IAPV was only found in winter. This is the first study detecting viruses in seven native stingless bee species in Brazil and because of the novelty of this area in Brazil, it is necessary to monitor native stingless bee colonies to investigate the impact of those viruses at a colony and individual level to avoid losses and impact to the native bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserving pollinators has been a concern and priority for ecological programs around the world, since these animals play a major role in forest ecosystems. Bees are among the main pollinators of these ecosystems. Here we used paleomodeling to infer refuge areas that putatively concentrate high levels of genetic diversity for stingless bees and that would be priorities for conservation of these pollinators within Caatinga, a seasonally dry forest in Neotropical Dry Diagonal. In this sense, a total of 319 records of 10 species was used to build species models for the current days, Mid-Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum periods using MaxEnt algorithm. The results indicated climatically-stable areas (i.e., refuges) for each stingless bee species, where higher levels of historical genetic diversity are expected in the Caatinga. Moreover, a large continuous range of suitable areas for the assemblage in the Caatinga, divided into four main refuges, which likely concentrate high levels of genetic diversity for these pollinators, were observed. Considering that the Caatinga is threatened and has experienced an increase of deforestation in recent years, this inference of refuge areas should be useful to direct the choice of new conservation units. Our results also provide spatial insights for future phylogeographic studies involving these insects, which are recommended and might reinforce these findings. Conservation policies directed at preserving pollinating species may be an effective mechanism for preserving the biodiversity in the threatened Caatinga. Implications for insect conservation: Our study inferred four main refuge areas within this region that putatively concentrate high diversity for stingless bees, which should be considered as a priority in conservation strategies in the threatened Caatinga. In addition, we suggest evaluating the creation of new Conservation Units considering refuges areas proposed to the assembly of pollinators from this Neotropical dry forest, since this region exhibits high levels of species richness and endemism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The highly eusocial stingless bees are crucial pollinators of native and agricultural ecosystems. Nevertheless, genomic studies within this bee tribe remain scarce. We present the genome assembly of the stingless bee Melipona bicolor. This bee is a remarkable exception to the typical single-queen colony structure, since in this species, multiple queens may coexist and share reproductive duties, resulting in genetically diverse colonies with weak kinship connections. As the only known genuinely polygynous bee, M. bicolor's genome provides a valuable resource for investigating sociality beyond kin selection. Results: The genome was assembled employing a hybrid approach combining short and long reads, resulting in 241 contigs spanning 259 Mb (N50 of 6.2 Mb and 97.5% complete BUSCOs). Comparative analyses shed light on some evolutionary aspects of stingless bee genomics, including multiple chromosomal rearrangements in Melipona. Additionally, we explored the evolution of venom genes in M. bicolor and other stingless bees, revealing that, apart from two genes, the conserved repertoire of venom components remains under purifying selection in this clade. Conclusion: This study advances our understanding of stingless bee genomics, contributing to the conservation efforts of these vital pollinators and offering insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving their unique adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees are important pollinators in tropical forests. Yet, we know little about their foraging behavior (e.g., their nutritional requirements or their floral sources visited for resource collection). Many stingless bees not only depend vitally on pollen and nectar for food but also on resin for nest building and/or defense. However, it is unclear whether the large effort devoted to collecting resin as a non‐food resource by certain stingless bees affects their foraging behavior. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed differences in foraging patterns (i.e., foraging activity, proportion of collected resources, and specialization in plants visited) and resource nutritional composition (i.e., sucrose amount in nectar and amino acids in pollen) of seven different stingless bee species (eleven wild colonies) in north‐western Ecuador with a particular focus on the role of resin collection. We found that species with a high resin intake tended to be more active than species with a low resin intake. The foragers per minute invested for pollen collection were similar across all species. Sucrose intake per minute differed between some species but was not affected by increased resin intake. Interestingly, high and low resin collectors partly differed in the plants visited for pollen collection. Pollen amino acid profiles largely, but not completely, overlapped between the two resin collection groups. Our findings show that the foraging patterns and plant choices of stingless bees may vary depending on their resin intake, highlighting the need for more research focusing on resin collection and use by stingless bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees are a unique resource to Afrotropical ecosystems where they pollinate crops and natural vegetation, and produce honey which has medicinal powers. Studies on African stingless bees are limited partly due to difficulties in identifying them in the field. This study aimed to explore the use of nest characteristics as a simplified technique to discriminate Tanzanian stingless bee species. A total of 49 nests belonging to eight stingless bee species were studied in 15 locations. Qualitative and quantitative data on nesting sites, nest cavities, and architecture of nest entrances, brood rearing area and food storage area were collected and analyzed by comparison of means, hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). We found that, differences in nest characteristics among stingless bee species reflected adaptations which enhanced various functions including insulation, ventilation, defense and survival. Four of the studied species were clearly separated on the dendrogram generated by Gower's distance and PCA plot based on quantitative data of nest architecture. Qualitative data assisted the distinction of two other species which had similar nest architecture. The findings of this study suggest that nest characteristics can facilitate identification of stingless bee species in the field. We propose the development of taxonomic tools based on key nest characteristics to provide a practical and user-friendly approach which even personnel who lack scientific expertise can use to discriminate stingless bee species. Such tools would contribute to the advancement of stingless bee management, research and extension services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine species distribution by observing the stingless bees cultivated by the community in South Sumatra Province using meliponiculture. By visiting boxes and studying the entrance and characteristics of stingless bee hives at each research location, bee samples were obtained in six districts or cities where beekeepers exist. The study was conducted from January 2023 to May 2023. The type of bee species was identified in each culture box, the diameter of the entrance was measured, and the diameters of the honey pot and brood cell pot were measured. A descriptive analysis was performed to gain an overview of each entrance and nest. Based on the identification results, eight different varieties of stingless bees were discovered. Each research site had an unequal distribution of the eight varieties of bees. Lepidotrigona terminata, Heterotrigona itama, Lophotrigona canifrons, Geniotrigona thoracica, Tetrigona apicalis, Tetragonula testaceitarsis, Tetragonula fuscobalateata, and Tetragonula laeviceps are examples of stingless bees. Variations in the size of identified stingless bees affect the size of the hive, brood cell, honey pot, and entrance. The nest, brood cells, honey pot, and entrance grow in proportion to the size of the stingless bee. Differences in the form and size of the entrance can also distinguish between species.

IntroductionThe current state of anthropogenic climate change is particularly concerning for tropical insects, species predicted to be the most negatively affected. Researching climatic tolerance in social insects is challenging because adaptations exist at both individual and societal levels. Division of labor research helps to bridge the gap between our understanding of these adaptations at different scales, which is important because social insects comprise a tremendous portion of global animal biomass, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Considering how individual physiologies construct group-level adaptations can improve climate change impact assessments for social species. Tetragonisca angustula is a neotropical stingless bee species that exhibits high worker subcaste specialization with a morphologically distinct soldier caste.MethodsWe used this species to investigate 1) whether age- and size-differentiated subcastes differ in thermal tolerance, 2) which worker subcaste operates closest to their thermal limits, and 3) the extent to which this species selects active foraging times to offset thermal stress. We measured the thermal tolerance (CTmax and CTmin) of small-bodied foragers and two soldier subcastes (hovering guards and standing guards) in T. angustula.Results and discussionDespite body size differences between foragers and guards, no differences in the upper or lower thermal limits were observed. However, the average thermal tolerance breadth of foragers was significantly larger than that of guards, and foraging sites were more thermally variable than nest sites, supporting the Climatic Variability Hypothesis at a microclimate scale and in the context of division of labor. Warming tolerance was significantly lower among small-bodied foragers compared to hovering and standing guards. The magnitude of warming tolerances indicated low risk of imminent climate change impacts in this environment but suggests that increasing temperatures and heatwave prevalence may cause foragers to meet their upper thermal limits before other subcastes. Foraging occurred at a narrower range of temperatures than would challenge critical temperatures, with higher morning activity. Directionally increasing temperatures will likely confine these preferred foraging temperatures to a narrower time window. Further study is needed to elucidate how foragers may shift times of activity in response to anthropogenic warming, but changing climates may impact plant pollination rates in natural and agricultural systems.

Stingless bee honeys (SBHs) from Australian and Malaysian species were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and the corresponding N-oxides (PANOs) due to the potential for such hepatotoxic alkaloids to contaminate honey as a result of bees foraging on plants containing these alkaloids. Low levels of alkaloids were found in these SBHs when assessed against certified PA standards in targeted analysis. However, certain isomers were identified using untargeted analysis in a subset of honeys of Heterotrigona itama which resulted in the identification of a PA weed species (Ageratum conyzoides) near the hives. The evaluation of this weed provided a PA profile matching that of the SBH of H. itama produced nearby, and included supinine, supinine N-oxide (or isomers) and acetylated derivatives. These PAs lacking a hydroxyl group at C7 are thought to be less hepatoxic. However, high levels were also observed in SBH (and in A. conyzoides) of a potentially more toxic diester PA corresponding to an echimidine isomer. Intermedine, the C7 hydroxy equivalent of supinine, was also observed. Species differences in nectar collection were evident as the same alkaloids were not identified in SBH of G. thoracica from the same location. This study highlights that not all PAs and PANOs are identified using available standards in targeted analyses and confirms the need for producers of all types of honey to be aware of nearby potential PA sources, particularly weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini) are a group of highly eusocial bees with pantropic distribution. The variety of life styles among the approximately 600 species and their frequent specialization on a specific habitat type render them a promising group to study how environmental pressures shaped specific traits during evolution. The present review aimed at identifying potential ecological drivers of bee cognition. Some interesting trends emerged from the scarce literature existing on this topic. A species' investment in particular neural substrates (sensory periphery, centers of information processing and integration) is associated with its foraging and anti-predator strategies. Innate preferences are tuned to often very specific needs, including defense against nest robbers, obligatory cleptobiosis, or foraging under dim-light conditions. These sensory biases, however, can be molded through experience and learning. In addition to associations between particular features of a food source and its quality, bees evaluate feeding sites based on previous experience with signals and cues that indicate potential competition. Moreover, inexperienced foragers learn specific characteristics of an exploited resource, like its scent or profitability, through recruitment signals produced by active food collectors. However, the cognitive abilities of bees, which are key to efficient food collection, are threatened by anthropogenic stressors. Sublethal doses of agrochemicals, in particular, have been shown to provoke cell death of higher brain centers, therewith reducing learning skills of the exposed individuals. Important questions for future studies are whether and to what extent different levels of cognitive plasticity found among stingless bees may attenuate the impact of human stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melipona scutellaris is a Brazilian stingless bee that is important for pollinating wild flora and agriculture crops. Fungicides have been widely used in agriculture, and floral residues can affect forager bees. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of pyraclostrobin on the midgut ultrastructure of M. scutellaris forager workers. The bees were collected from three non-parental colonies and kept under laboratory conditions. The bees were orally exposed continuously for five days to pyraclostrobin in syrup at concentrations of 0.125 ng a.i./µL (FG1) and 0.005 ng a.i./µL (FG2). The control bees (CTL) were fed a no-fungicide sucrose solution, and the acetone solvent control bees (CAC) received a sucrose solution containing acetone. At the end of the exposure, the midguts were sampled, fixed in Karnovsky solution, and routinely processed for transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that both the fungicide concentrations altered the midgut, such as cytoplasmic vacuolization (more intense in FG1), the presence of an atypical nuclear morphology, and slightly dilated mitochondrial cristae in the bees from the FG1 and FG2 groups (both more intense in FG1). Additionally, there was an alteration in the ultrastructure of the spherocrystals (FG1), which could be the result of cellular metabolism impairment and the excretion of toxic metabolites in the digestive cells as a response to fungicide exposure. The results indicate that ingested pyraclostrobin induced cytotoxic effects in the midgut of native stingless bees. These cellular ultrastructural responses of the midgut are a prelude to a reduced survival rate, as observed in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current honey bee decline necessitates the use of alternative native pollinators to ensure global food security. Here, we compared the pollination behaviour and efficiency of the African honey bee (Apis mellifera) and six African endemic Meliponini (Meliponula bocandei, Dactylurina schmidti, Meliponula lendliana, Hypotrigona gribodoi, Meliponula ferruginea and Meliponula togoensis) in a greenhouse with the non-parthenocarpic cucumber variety Super Marketer. Honey bees and D. schmidti started foraging on introduction in the greenhouse, while M. lendliana and M. togoensis showed the longest delay. In most species, foragers collected nectar and pollen, excepting M. bocandei that specialized in nectar collection, and H. gribodoi and M. togoensis, specialized in pollen collection. African honey bees visited flowers the shortest, while H. gribodoi and D. schmidti had a 2-fold probing time, on average. Most stingless bees species had a lower hive activity with fewer foragers encountered per hour than for honey bees, except D. schmidti. M. bocandei, M. ferruginea, A. mellifera scutellata and H. gribodoi, yielded a seed germination percentage of around 90%. M. lendliana, M. togoensis and D. schmidti yielded a much lower seed germination percentage around 30%, which indicates that the quality of pollination was remarkably lower by using these three species. The highest sugar content was recorded in fruits from flowers pollinated by M. bocandei, African honey bees, D. schimdti or M. togoensis with the same solid content as the gold standard method, i.e., hand cross-pollination. We found that M. bocandei was the most efficient cucumber pollinator of all species tested: because pollination by this species yielded the largest and heaviest fruits and the highest seed numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Stingless bees are important pollinators in tropical forests. Yet, we know little about their foraging behavior (e.g., their nutritional requirements or their floral sources visited for resource collection). Many stingless bees not only depend vitally on pollen and nectar for food but also on resin for nest building and/or defense. However, it is unclear whether the large effort devoted to collecting resin as a non‐food resource by certain stingless bees affects their foraging behavior. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed differences in foraging patterns (i.e., foraging activity, proportion of collected resources, and specialization in plants visited) and resource nutritional composition (i.e., sucrose amount in nectar and amino acids in pollen) of seven different stingless bee species (eleven wild colonies) in north‐western Ecuador with a particular focus on the role of resin collection. We found that species with a high resin intake tended to be more active than species with a low resin intake. The foragers per minute invested for pollen collection were similar across all species. Sucrose intake per minute differed between some species but was not affected by increased resin intake. Interestingly, high and low resin collectors partly differed in the plants visited for pollen collection. Pollen amino acid profiles largely, but not completely, overlapped between the two resin collection groups. Our findings show that the foraging patterns and plant choices of stingless bees may vary depending on their resin intake, highlighting the need for more research focusing on resin collection and use by stingless bees.

Abstract: The evolution of obligate kleptoparasitism, the theft of food, has led to remarkable innovations, including physical weapons and chemical signals that can evolve into chemical weapons. Stingless bees in the genus Lestrimelitta are excellent examples of this phenomenon because they are obligate kleptoparasites that no longer collect floral resources and instead steal brood resources from other bees. Their ability to raid successfully is thus essential to their fitness even when they fight species that are physically bigger, have larger defense forces, or both. We conducted morphometric analyses, quantified Lestrimelitta niitkib mandibular gland pheromone (MGP) components, and carried out individual fighting trials between L. niitkib and the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana, a common victim species, to shed light on the detailed reasons for their success at robbing. Measurements showed that L. niitkib mandibles have thicker exoskeleton cuticles and overall greater width, particularly in the medial and proximal sections, than S. mexicana, which is quite similar in body size. In all fights, L. niitkib bit victims and released MGP, as it does during raids. Scaptotrigona mexicana victims exhibited significantly increased uncoordinated behaviors and showed partial or complete paralysis. We analyzed and quantified the major components of MGP, which consisted of large quantities of geranial (mean of 253 μg) and neral (48 μg) per bee. Microinjections of 1 bee equivalent (BE) of natural or synthetic MGP and ≥ 0.1 BE of geranial significantly increased deleterious behaviors and paralysis as compared to control injections. We suggest that the large quantities of MGP used during raiding have led to an unexpected outcome, a semiochemical evolving the additional function of a toxin, and contribute to the ability of Lestrimelitta to rob its victims. Significance statement: Kleptoparasites, organisms that steal food resources, employ multiple physical and chemical tools to survive. The success of kleptoparasitism requires a balance between honesty and coercion in interspecific communication. The genus Lestrimellita consists of a group of kleptoparasitic stingless bee species that raid other bee colonies for food and therefore depend upon winning these raids. However, why they succeed remains not fully understood. We studied differences in morphology between L. niitkib and its victims, the pheromones they release during raids, and ran individual fight trials between L. niitkib and a common victim to identify why they are successful. We suggest that the release of pheromones at the beginning of raids, in concert with the pheromone’s toxicity, has been combined to improve L. niitkib’s ability to successfully rob.

Abstract Background Stingless bee honey (SBH) is a natural remedy and therapeutic agent traditionally used by local communities across the (sub-)tropics. Forest SBH represents a prime non-timber forest product (NTFP) with a potential to revitalize indigenous foodways and to generate income in rural areas, yet it is also used in a variety of non-food contexts that are poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa and that collectively represent a significant part of the local traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) passed on across generations. Documenting TEK of local communities in African tropical forests facing global change is a pressing issue to recognize the value of their insights, to evaluate their sustainability, to determine how they contribute to enhancing conservation efforts, and how TEK generally contributes to the well-being of both the natural environment and the communities that rely on it. This is particularly important to achieve in Kenya’s only tropical rainforest at Kakamega where SBH production and non-food uses have evolved and diversified to a remarkable extent. Methods We used ethnographic techniques and methods, including semi-structured questionnaires and recorded interviews. We used snowball sampling, a non-probability sampling method where new interviewees were recruited by other respondents, to collectively form a sample consisting of 36 interviewees (including only one woman). Results Our results indicate that local communities in Kakamega were able to discriminate between six different and scientifically recognized stingless bee species, and they provided detailed accounts on the species-specific non-food uses of these SBH. Collectively, we recorded an array of 26 different non-food uses that are all passed on orally across generations in the Kakamega community. Conclusion Our results uncover the vast and hitherto unexpected diversity of TEK associated with SBH and pave the way for a systematic survey of SBH and their non-food uses across a network of communities in different environments and with different cultural backgrounds in the Afrotropics. This, along with parallel and more in-depth investigations into honey chemistry, will help develop a comprehensive understanding of SBH, offering insights into holistic ecosystem management, resilience and adaptation while in the mid- to long-term promoting cross-cultural exchanges and pathways for the revitalization of cultural practices and traditions.

Flupyradifurone (FPF), a novel butenolide insecticide binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), has been shown to be less acutely toxic to western honey bees (Apis mellifera) than other insecticides such as neonicotinoids sharing the same target-site. A previous study revealed that this is due to enhanced oxidative metabolism of FPF, mediated by three cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), including CYP6AQ1. Therefore, we followed a toxicogenomics approach and investigated the potential role of functional CYP6AQ1 orthologs in FPF metabolism from eight different bee species, including stingless bees (Tribe: Meliponini). We conducted a phylogenetic analysis on four stingless bee species, including Frieseomelitta varia, Heterotrigona itama, Melipona quadrifasciata and Tetragonula carbonaria to identify CYP6AQ1-like functional orthologs. Three non-Meliponini, but tropical bee species, i.e., Ammobates syriacus, Euglossa dilemma and Megalopta genalis were analyzed as well. We identified candidate P450s in all (neo)tropical species with greater than 61% and 67% predicted protein sequence identities when compared to A. mellifera CYP6AQ1 and Bombus terrestris CYP6AQ26, respectively. Heterologous expression in High Five insect cells of these functional orthologs revealed a common coumarin substrate profile and a preference for the O-debenzylation of bulkier substrates. Competition assays using the fluorescent probe substrate 7-benzyloxymethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (BOMFC) with these enzymes indicated inhibition of BOMFC metabolism by increasing concentrations of FPF. Furthermore, UPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the capacity of all CYP6AQ1-like orthologs to metabolize FPF by hydroxylation in vitro at various levels, indicating a conserved FPF detoxification potential in different (neo)tropical bee species including Meliponini. This research, employing a toxicogenomics approach, provides important insights into the potential of stingless and other tropical bee species to detoxify FPF, and highlights the significance of investigating the detoxification mechanisms of insecticides in non-Apis bee species by molecular tools to inform risk assessment and conservation efforts.

Honey composition vary according to floral origin and bee species from which it is produced. Understanding the composition of honey is essential for guaranteeing its quality and authenticity, and revealing its potential benefits. Studies on honeys produced by Afrotropical stingless bees are scarce resulting into limited understanding and underutilization. The current study investigated the physicochemical properties and sugar profiles of honeys produced by six stingless bee species (Dactylurina schmidti, Hypotrigona gribodoi, Meliponula beccarii, Meliponula ferruginea, Meliponula togoensis and Plebeina armata) from different vegetation zones of Tanzania. Permutation analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to assess how bee species and vegetation influenced the studied parameters. Furthermore, we employed principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to discriminate honey samples according to bee species and vegetation zones. Our findings show that honey composition was greatly influenced by the identity of bee species which affected 84.6 % of the studied parameters, compared to vegetation zones which affected only 23.1 % of the studied parameters. Stingless bee honey showed significant variation from the international quality standards established for Apis mellifera honey. Also, the levels of free acidity (32.05–99.95 meq/Kg), ash content (0.09–0.81 % w/w) and reducing sugars (43.79–50.82 g/100 g) in some honey samples deviated from the East African Community standards for stingless bee honey. PCA and LDA revealed that the physicochemical properties and sugar profiles can be used to classify stingless bee honeys according to their bee species origin. We recommend further studies to elucidate essential markers that can be used in identifying the entomological source of stingless bee honey.

ABSTRACT The present contribution deals with the recognition of the type material of Melipona postica Latreille and the identity of the taxon it represents. The origin of the specimens studied by Illiger and Klug, and which Illiger later sent to Latreille, is traced to Francisco Agostinho Gomes, who collected the material in Salvador, Bahia, and sent them to the Count von Hoffmansegg, in Prussia. Based on material located at the Museum für Naturkunde, in Berlin, a lectotype is designated for Melipona postica Latreille. The specimen is redescribed and illustrated. The name Scaptotrigona xanthotricha Moure is placed as a synonym of S. postica.

Stingless bee honey is an important component of African ethno-medicine, used to treat a variety of health conditions. However, there is scanty information on the therapeutic properties of honeys produced by Afrotropical stingless bees. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties of honeys produced by six species of stingless bees from different vegetation zones of Tanzania. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against standard cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans by agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Mean inhibition zones ranged from 7.0 – 26.3 mm for gram-positive bacteria, 6.9 – 26.9 mm for gram-negative bacteria and 17.0 – 30.9 mm for Fungi. On the other hand, geometric means of the minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.1 – 10% v/v for gram-positive bacteria, 0.1 – 20% v/v for gram-negative bacteria and 0.1 – 1.3% v/v for Fungi. Some honey samples exhibited stronger antibacterial activity compared to the standard antibiotic, ciprofloxacin (25 µg/mL). C. albicans displayed the highest sensitivity to stingless bee honey despite being resistant to fluconazole and terbinafine (25 µg/mL). The strongest antimicrobial effect was exhibited by honey samples produced by Dactylurina schmidti. Antimicrobial activity of stingless bee honey was largely influenced by the amount of phytochemicals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates antimicrobial activity of honeys produced by a number of Afrotropical stingless bee species. Our findings validate the use of stingless bee honey in traditional medicine and advocate for its potential for clinical management of complex wounds, candidiasis and drug resistant pathogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nests of social insects have favorable characteristics for the maintenance of inquilines, including beetle species of various families. Although some species of stingless bees are hosts to beetles, this interaction has been little studied. Certain Scotocryptini beetles are inquilines of stingless bee nests and possess morphological adaptations to live in these environments. Here, we review the interactions between bees and beetles, specifically those of Neotropical stingless bees and Scotocryptini. In addition, we provide new data and an interaction network between the species of these taxa, and analyze their interaction frequency. Finally, we discuss the importance of taxonomic studies on scotocryptines to better understand the evolution of this type of association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stingless bee honey (SBH) is a natural remedy and therapeutic agent traditionally used by local communities across the (sub-)tropics. Forest SBH represents a prime non-timber forest product (NTFP) with a potential to revitalize indigenous foodways and to generate income in rural areas, yet it is also used in a variety of non-food contexts that are poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa and that collectively represent a significant part of the local traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) passed on across generations. Documenting TEK of local communities in African tropical forests facing global change is a pressing issue to recognize the value of their insights, to evaluate their sustainability, to determine how they contribute to enhancing conservation efforts, and how TEK generally contributes to the well-being of both the natural environment and the communities that rely on it. This is particularly important to achieve in Kenya's only tropical rainforest at Kakamega where SBH production and non-food uses have evolved and diversified to a remarkable extent. Methods: We used ethnographic techniques and methods, including semi-structured questionnaires and recorded interviews. We used snowball sampling, a non-probability sampling method where new interviewees were recruited by other respondents, to collectively form a sample consisting of 36 interviewees (including only one woman). Results: Our results indicate that local communities in Kakamega were able to discriminate between six different and scientifically recognized stingless bee species, and they provided detailed accounts on the species-specific non-food uses of these SBH. Collectively, we recorded an array of 26 different non-food uses that are all passed on orally across generations in the Kakamega community. Conclusion: Our results uncover the vast and hitherto unexpected diversity of TEK associated with SBH and pave the way for a systematic survey of SBH and their non-food uses across a network of communities in different environments and with different cultural backgrounds in the Afrotropics. This, along with parallel and more in-depth investigations into honey chemistry, will help develop a comprehensive understanding of SBH, offering insights into holistic ecosystem management, resilience and adaptation while in the mid- to long-term promoting cross-cultural exchanges and pathways for the revitalization of cultural practices and traditions. Science highlights: Uncovering the hitherto unexpected diversity of stingless bee honeys and their non-food uses in Kakamega Forest (Kenya). A total of 26 different non-food uses were recorded (primarily medicinal, traditional, and spiritual), some of which are species-specific to certain stingless bee species in this tropical forest fragment. Knowledge on the uses of SBH is ancestral and is shared orally across generations, with potential for cross-cultural exchanges as well as the revitalization of cultural practices and traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive farms were developed from the first settlements in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The scarcity of water year after year currently necessitates the reforestation of degraded areas to protect the remaining forestlands and water resources, mainly on hillsides. Native species of plants and stingless bees were introduced, with the main intention of pollination intensification and seed production to grow new shrubs and trees. These reforested areas produced honey and bee pot-pollen. The present study elucidated the pollination dynamics in three areas under reforestation (Serra da Posse area, Morro da Formiga area, and Serra dos Pretos Forros area) considering three native bee species (Nannotrigona testaceicornes, Tetragonisca angustula and Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides) and pollen analysis of bee products. For sample processing, neither the acetolysis methodology, nor staining was applied. Paired honey and pollen samples were considered, and in addition anemophilous and exotic pollen grains, as well as structured elements. It is suggested to intensify the planting of native trees and shrubs, such as Arecaceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, Alchornea, Anadenanthera, Piptadenia and Schizolobium, thus allowing the establishment of a diversity of parasitic Loranthaceae species appreciated by native bees. Food competition among bees was low. The vegetation in newly forested areas did not completely meet the food needs of the bees. The cultivation of a great diversity of native plants and bee species in degraded areas and under reforestation certainly yields a good result more quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current Lacandon Maya of Metzabok have inhabited the Lacandon rainforest for three centuries. During this time, they have managed the natural resources of the area, including bees. This research records the species of stingless bees that people know in three age categories: from 17 to 30 years old; from 31 to 50 years old; and from 51 to 77 years old. Fieldwork was done from August 2019 to March 2020 and from June to December 2021. A survey was applied to 28 of the 30 heads of household. At the same time, entomological collections were made with key collaborators. In total, 12 species of bees were recorded. Nonetheless honey is commonly extracted from only four species of bees; the Cephalotrigona zexmeniae (K'anit), the Melipona solani (Jach k'ojo'), the Scaptotrigona pectoralis (Kan sak) and the Tetragonisca angustula (Yus). Currently five species of stingless bees are handled, which can reach up to eight. For this purpose, a comprehensive strategy is recommended so that complementing the knowledge generated in scientific research with local knowledge, will not only favor the economy, but also the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A catalog provides an index to previous studies in taxonomy, behavioral research, and pollination ecology, thus consolidating the existing knowledge in an accessible format. In this study, we explore the annotated catalog and bibliography of the Indonesian meliponini stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae, Meliponini). The catalog format is arranged based on Rasmussen (2008). All available literature was reviewed for compiling this catalog and bibliography. References to a Meliponini genus only were not included in the list of references. Cited references must have used a trackable specific epithet to have been included. In total, Indonesia has 52 recorded stingless bee species across the Indonesian archipelagoes of Sumatera (27 species), Java (13 species), Nusa Tenggara (1 species), Kalimantan (34 species), Sulawesi (8 species), Bali (1 species), Maluku (4 species), and Papua (12 species). After the data was updated, there was an increase in the number of stingless bee species in Indonesia, namely 46 species (before update) to 52 species (after update). An up-todate, comprehensive taxonomic and biological catalog is fundamental to any comparative evolutionary, ecological, and behavioral research on any group of organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propolis is used by corbiculated bees to protect the bee hive; it is mostly used to seal cracks, to reduce or prevent microbial growth and to embalm invaders. Different factors have been reported to influence the chemical composition of propolis, including bee species and the flora surrounding the hive. Nevertheless, the majority of the studies are focused on propolis produced by Apis mellifera, while studies on the chemical composition of propolis produced by stingless bees are still limited. In this investigation, the chemical composition of 27 propolis samples collected in the Yucatan Peninsula from A. mellifera beehives, together with 18 propolis samples from six different species of stingless bees, were analyzed by GC-MS. Results showed that lupeol acetate and β-amyrin were the characteristic triterpenes in propolis samples from A. mellifera, while grandiflorenic acid and its methyl ester were the main metabolites present in samples from stingless bees. Multivariate analyses were used to explore the relationship between bee species and botanical sources on the chemical composition of the propolis samples. Differences in body size and, therefore, foraging abilities, as well as preferences for specific botanical sources among bee species, could explain the observed variation in propolis chemical composition. This is the first report on the composition of propolis samples from the stingless bees Trigona nigra, Scaptotrigona pectoralis, Nannotrigona perilampoides, Plebeia frontalis and Partamona bilineata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-induced shifts in species' ranges can increase contact between closely related species and lead to reproductive interference. In Australia, climate change and trade in stingless bee colonies is increasing the range overlap of two cryptic species: Tetragonula carbonaria and T. hockingsi. To investigate reproductive interactions between these species, we validated a diagnostic-PCR test based on the mitochondrial gene COI to ID field specimens to species. We then assessed the likelihood of reproductive interference in four ways. First, we imaged the male genitalia of each species and found no evidence of reproductive character displacement. Second, we assessed species composition of mating aggregations in an area of sympatry (Southeast Queensland) and confirmed that some males join the mating aggregations of interspecific colonies. Third, we translocated T. hockingsi colonies into the southern range of T. carbonaria (Sydney) and tracked their ability to requeen. These translocated colonies attracted mating aggregations comprised almost entirely of interspecific males, but never formed hybrid colonies; instead, queens either mated with their brothers, or the colony failed to requeen at all. Finally, we presented T. carbonaria males with either conspecific or interspecific virgin queens and found that males attempted to mate only with their own species' queens. In all, we conclude that reproductive barriers between these species are complete with respect to "short-range" mating cues, but not for "long-range" mate attraction cues. Our study highlights that hive movements can increase some forms of pre-mating reproductive interference between managed bee species, even where the species do not actually mate or hybridize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees (Meliponini) are a ubiquitous and diverse element of the pantropical melittofauna, and have significant cultural and economic importance. This review outlines their diversity, and provides identification keys based on external morphology, brief accounts for each of the recognized genera, and an updated checklist of all living and fossil species. In total there are currently 605 described extant species in 45 extant genera, and a further 18 extinct species in nine genera, seven of which are extinct. A new fossil genus, Adactylurina Engel, gen. nov., is also described for a species in Miocene amber from Ethiopia. In addition to the systematic review, the biology of stingless bees is summarized with an emphasis on aspects related to their nesting biology and architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large rivers are usually associated with vicariance and diversification of terrestrial species, but little is known about these effects in overlooked areas from South America, like São Francisco River (SFR). In this study we tested this hypothesis by analyzing populations of Melipona mandacaia, an endemic stingless bee from Caatinga whose distribution is associated to SFR. The influence of the river width as a natural barrier to the gene flow among populations of M. mandacaia from both margins of SFR was inferred from genetic and morphometric data. Eleven microsatellite loci were amplified and 813 anterior right wings were used for geometric morphometrics. Most of the genetic variation (96.7%) in AMOVA was found within populations with evidence of low structuring (Fst = 0.032, p < 0.05). The Bayesian model and spatial analysis corroborated the lack of conspicuous genetic differentiation among samples. In morphometric analyses, the first four canonical variables explained 80.49% of the total variation. The cross-validation between populations from left and right margins revealed that about 55.44% of colonies were classified correctly. Thus, we conclude that the SFR should not be considered a natural geographic barrier to the gene flow in M. mandacaia. Implications for insect conservation: Estimates of genetic diversity and the lack genetic structure among populations separated by a putative geographic barrier are useful to the management and conservation strategies of stingless bees, particularly in relation to the translocation of bees and colonies from one site to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Stingless bees have a great value as main pollinators of wild flowering and cultivated plants, thus playing a fundamental role in the maintenance of biodiversity and food security in Latin America. Despite their importance, stingless bees face numerous threats causing alarming population declines. Moreover, stingless bees have a great cultural and traditional value, since most products from the hive are used for a wide variety of purposes. A growing number of initiatives are encouraging the breeding of these bees, through training courses and modern management techniques. This study documents the knowledge on stingless bees and their products that meliponiculturists from the Chaco region of Bolivia have, as well as the influence that meliponiculture initiatives have on the management and general knowledge of the bees. Methods Local richness and diversity of stingless bees was calculated using Hill numbers. Structured interviews were conducted with 59 meliponiculturists in order to characterize traditional and formal knowledge on stingless bees and meliponiculture. Generalized linear models were applied to assess the influence of training courses on the management of the bees. Also, a relative cultural importance index was calculated for each species. Results Twelve Meliponini species were identified, and 15 local names were reported with morphological, defensiveness behavior, and nest description. There was no significant difference in the knowledge between different ethnical backgrounds or ages. A significant difference was observed in the use of supplementary feeding and assisted division, but none in the success in racking hives or in pest management, regarding the number or courses taken. The relative cultural importance index recorded 30 specific uses for bee products grouped in four categories, from which 29 were attributed (but not exclusively) to Tetragonisca angustula, making it the most versatile species. Conclusions The products of the hive, especially honey, are used for a wide variety of purposes, mostly in medicine. These uses are mostly attributed to just one species, T. angustula, in coincidence with what was taught in meliponiculture training courses by NGOs. The influence of formal knowledge is mostly positive, but it is recommended that other meliponini species are taken into account as well.

La crianza y manejo de las abejas nativas sin aguijón, se conoce como “meliponicultura”, actividad ancestral de importancia ambiental y socioeconómica. En Costa Rica, se reportan más de 50 especies de abejas nativas sin aguijón; los géneros Melipona (jicotes) y Tetragonisca (mariolas) son los más utilizadas por los meliponicultores. El Pequeño Escarabajo de la Colmena, Aethina tumida (Murray 1867), es nativo de África subsahariana, donde se considera una plaga menor entre las abejas melíferas africanas. Sin embargo, desde su detección, en colmenas de abejas melíferas de origen europeo en Los Estados Unidos (1998), se considera una plaga invasora que causa serios problemas a la apicultura. Tanto larvas, como escarabajos adultos, se alimentan de miel, polen y cría de las abejas. Además, tienen una gran adaptabilidad a distintos ambientes, desde condiciones tropicales hasta clima templado. Actualmente, se encuentra en diferentes países, como: Canadá, México, Cuba y Brasil. El primer reporte de abejas africanizadas, en Centroamérica, ocurrió en El Salvador, luego en Nicaragua y posteriormente se confirmó en Costa Rica y Guatemala. A. tumida puede infestar colonias de abejas nativas sin aguijón (meliponinos) y abejorros (Bombus sp.). Se ha reportado su presencia en colonias de Melipona beecheii, Dactylurina staudingerii, Trigona carbonaria, Austroplebeia australis, Melipona rufiventris y Plebeia frontalis, así como en Bombus impatiens. En Costa Rica, aun cuando no se ha realizado una investigación sistemática del escarabajo en colonias de abejas nativas, a la fecha, no se ha reportado su presencia. En un monitoreo preliminar, se examinó colonias de M. beecheii, ubicadas cerca del foco inicial de detección del escarabajo, en la Cruz, Guanacaste, las cuales resultaron negativas. Al considerar que la meliponicultura es una actividad que se realiza en diferentes regiones de Costa Rica, se recomienda establecer vigilancia del Pequeño Escarabajo, con la finalidad de detectar o descartar su presencia en colonias de abejas nativas sin aguijón.

ABSTRACT Obtaining colonies of stingless bees in the wild for the formation or expansion of meliponaries and other purposes is permitted by law in Brazil using bait containers or trap nests, and other non-destructive methods. We tested the efficiency of trap nests made from plastic bottles for attraction and nesting of stingless bees in the central Brazilian Amazon. We used 2-L and 5-L bottles and three types of attractants (cerumen and geopropolis from Melipona seminigra, M. interrupta and a mix of the two). We used 216 trap nests distributed in three experimental areas during 13 months. Visitation by six species of stingless bees in 58 (26.9%) trap nests, and nesting by three species in 12 (5.6%) trap nests in two areas near meliponaries was recorded. There was no significant difference between trap-nest size, nor among attractants for visitation or nesting, suggesting that the availability of cavities or hollows is more important than odor for nesting. Monthly pooled visitation and nesting events were not correlated with monthly rainfall. Based on our results, we can conclude that, despite the low capture rate, the acquisition of swarms through nest traps is a viable alternative to obtain new colonies of stingless bees for meliponaries.

The stingless bee Melipona (Michmelia) seminigra Friese is a polytypic species widely distributed in Brazilian Amazon and Bolivia. Seven subspecies are recognized, four are described, which inhabit mutually exclusive areas in the Amazon basin, although zones of hybridization are recorded. The three other subspecies, despite being recognized by taxonomists are undescribed. Melipona seminigra is a good honey-producer and an important pollinator of native flora and crops. Partial DNA sequence of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial gene (526 bp) was used to identify the four described subspecies of M. seminigra (M. s. abunensis, M. s. merrillae, M. s. pernigra, M. s. seminigra) and two other possible subspecies (M. s. ssp1 and M. s. ssp2). We added public data (sequences of ten other Melipona species) of the same subgenera and carried out phylogenetic analyses. The aim was to evaluate if subspecies in the M. seminigra complex could be delimited using COI and measure the genetic distances between them. Our results revealed that the genetic distances between subspecies of M. seminigra ranged from 0.4 to 2.7% (average 1.80 ± 0.47) and among Melipona species from 0.2 to 2.9% (average 2.13 ± 0.5). The average haplotype diversity was 0.8770 ± 0.0140 and average nucleotide diversity 0.0166 ± 0.0004. Phylogenetic and clustering analysis revealed well delimited clusters for subspecies of M. seminigra and that the inter subspecies divergences are similar to inter species divergence. Our findings indicate that the COI gene can be used for delimiting subspecies of M. seminigra.

Background: Stingless bees have a great value as main pollinators of wild flowering and cultivated plants, thus playing a fundamental role in the maintenance of biodiversity and food security in Latin America. Despite their importance, stingless bees face numerous threats causing alarming population declines. Moreover, stingless bees have a great cultural and traditional value, since most products from the hive are used for a wide variety of purposes. A growing number of initiatives are encouraging the breeding of these bees, through training courses and modern management techniques. This study documents the knowledge on stingless bees and their products that meliponiculturists from the Chaco region of Bolivia have, as well as the influence that meliponiculture initiatives have on the management and general knowledge of the bees. Methods: Local richness and diversity of stingless bees was calculated using Hill numbers. Structured interviews were conducted with 59 meliponiculturists in order to characterize traditional and formal knowledge on stingless bees and meliponiculture. Generalized linear models were applied to assess the influence of training courses on the management of the bees. Also, a relative cultural importance index was calculated for each species. Results: Twelve Meliponini species were identified, and 15 local names were reported with morphological, defensiveness behavior, and nest description. There was no significant difference in the knowledge between different ethnical backgrounds or ages. A significant difference was observed in the use of supplementary feeding and assisted division, but none in the success in racking hives or in pest management, regarding the number or courses taken. The relative cultural importance index recorded 30 specific uses for bee products grouped in four categories, from which 29 were attributed (but not exclusively) to Tetragonisca angustula, making it the most versatile species. Conclusions: The products of the hive, especially honey, are used for a wide variety of purposes, mostly in medicine. These uses are mostly attributed to just one species, T. angustula, in coincidence with what was taught in meliponiculture training courses by NGOs. The influence of formal knowledge is mostly positive, but it is recommended that other meliponini species are taken into account as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees are among the most dominant pollinators in the south tropics. As such, the rational beekeeping of stingless bee species, called meliponiculture, is an ancient and relevant activity, related to sustainable agricultural development, and which connects traditional knowledge to innovation and novelty. Given the relevance of this topic, this paper discusses the possibilities of a semiotically mediated communication between humans and Meliponini (stingless bees). Zoosemiotics, as the studies of animal views of the world, is the ideal modelling system for the investigation of the possibilities of mutual understanding between these two species. Starting from the premise that, for there to be inter-specific communication, there must be a shared code, and that this depends on the biological makeup and sensory apparatus of both organisms involved in the communication process, this research suggests that a possible way to communicate with stingless bees is with the use of olfactory (chemical) signals, since this channel seems to be common to both humans and bees. Considering that for human-animal relations one party must be able to recognize the other (iconic learning), it is revealed that chemical signals do allow bees to recognize individual humans, even going so far as profiling this person as 'not a threat'. Finally, bees are seen to act cooperatively while the beekeeper is taking action to protect and maintain the nest, something that can be interpreted as an opening of semiotic relations, where the bees are deeming the beekeeper as part of their social group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]