Stingless Bees

A B S T R A C T Major hydroelectric dams are among key emergent agents of habitat loss and fragmentation in lowland tropical forests. Orchid bees (Apidae, Euglossini) are one of the most important groups of specialized pollinators of flowering plants in Neotropical forests. Here, we investigate how an entire assemblage of orchid bees responded to the effects of forest habitat loss, isolation and forest canopy degradation induced by a hydroelectric reservoir of Central Brazilian Amazonia. Built in 1986, the Balbina Dam resulted in a vast archipelagic landscape containing 3546 primary forest islands of varying sizes and isolation, surrounded by 3129 km 2 of freshwater. Using scent traps, we sampled 34 islands, 14 open-water matrix sites, and three mainland continuous forests, yielding 2870 male orchid bees representing 25 species. Local orchid bee species richness was affected by forest patch area but particularly by site isolation. Distance to forest edges, either within forest areas or into the open-water matrix, was the most important predictor of species richness and composition. Variation in matrix dispersal of individual species to increasingly isolated sites was a key determinant of community structure. Given the patterns of patch persistence and matrix movements of orchid bees in increasingly fragmented forest landscapes, we outline how forest bees respond to the landscape alteration induced by major hydroelectric dams. These results should be considered in environmental impact studies prior to the approval of new dams.

Most​ ​ people​ ​ are​ ​ familiar​ ​ with​ ​ honey​ ​ bees​ ​ and​ ​ bumblebees,​ ​ but​ ​ look​ ​ closely​ ​ and​ ​ there are​ ​ smaller​ ​ furry​ ​ bees​ ​ moving​ ​ from​ ​ flower​ ​ to​ ​ flower.​ ​ Zeljko​ ​ Serdar​ ​ from​ ​ Croatian Center​ ​ of​ ​ Renewable​ ​ Energy​ ​ Sources​ ​ (CCRES)​ ​ gives​ ​ this​ ​ concise​ ​ guide​ ​ to​ ​ solitary bees… There​ ​ are​ ​ around​ ​ 20,000​ ​ described​ ​ bee​ ​ species​ ​ worldwide.​ ​ Most​ ​ of​ ​ these​ ​ bees​ ​ are​ ​ known as​ ​ solitary​ ​ bees​ ​ with​ ​ only​ ​ 250​ ​ bumblebee​ ​ species,​ ​ 9​ ​ honey​ ​ bee​ ​ species​ ​ and​ ​ a​ ​ number​ ​ of social​ ​ stingless​ ​ bees​ ​ worldwide.​ ​ In​ ​ Croatia​ ​ we​ ​ have​ ​ around​ ​ 270​ ​ species​ ​ of​ ​ bee,​ ​ just​ ​ under 250​ ​ of​ ​ which​ ​ are​ ​ solitary​ ​ bees.​ ​ These​ ​ bees​ ​ can​ ​ be​ ​ amazingly​ ​ effective​ ​ pollinators​ ​ and​ ​ as​ ​ the name​ ​ suggests​ ​ tend​ ​ not​ ​ to​ ​ live​ ​ in​ ​ colonies​ ​ like​ ​ bumblebees​ ​ and​ ​ honey​ ​ bees. Solitary​ ​ bees​ ​ in​ ​ Croatia​ ​ are​ ​ highly​ ​ diverse,​ ​ therefore​ ​ so​ ​ are​ ​ their​ ​ nesting​ ​ habits.​ ​ The​ ​ majority of​ ​ species​ ​ nest​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ ground,​ ​ excavating​ ​ their​ ​ own​ ​ nest.​ ​ The​ ​ female​ ​ builds​ ​ the​ ​ nest​ ​ by herself.​ ​ She​ ​ chooses​ ​ a​ ​ suitable​ ​ piece​ ​ of​ ​ ground​ ​ in​ ​ which​ ​ to​ ​ nest​ ​ and​ ​ uses​ ​ her​ ​ body​ ​ to​ ​ dig out​ ​ a​ ​ nesting​ ​ chamber​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ ground.​ ​ She​ ​ adds​ ​ pollen​ ​ to​ ​ the​ ​ chamber,​ ​ which​ ​ is​ ​ often moistened​ ​ with​ ​ nectar,​ ​ and​ ​ lays​ ​ an​ ​ egg.​ ​ She​ ​ then​ ​ seals​ ​ off​ ​ that​ ​ section​ ​ of​ ​ the​ ​ nest​ ​ before moving​ ​ onto​ ​ the​ ​ next​ ​ chamber.​ ​ Although​ ​ most​ ​ solitary​ ​ bees​ ​ nest​ ​ solitarily,​ ​ in​ ​ suitable​ ​ nest sites​ ​ you​ ​ often​ ​ find​ ​ aggregations​ ​ of​ ​ nests.​ ​ There​ ​ are​ ​ also​ ​ a​ ​ number​ ​ of​ ​ species​ ​ in​ ​ Croatia​ ​ that nest​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ ground​ ​ but​ ​ create​ ​ turrets​ ​ over​ ​ their​ ​ nests,​ ​ these​ ​ are​ ​ often​ ​ very​ ​ distinctive.

Different physical factors (electric and electromagnetic fields, magnetic field, gravity, and light) can negatively affect activities of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) either inside or outside the hives, possibly causing damage to bee colonies. In this paper, previous studies are reviewed to shed more light on the effects of these factors on honey bees, and to provide suggestions for additional investigations. Comb building, waggle dance, flight, and navigation have gained more attention than other activities. Also, worker bees have been studied more than drones and queens, and especially adults more than immature stages. Productivity aspects of bee colonies and biological parameters have not been the focus of most studies. Effects of the reviewed physical factors on bee-parasite interactions have gained little attention. The possibility of considering these physical factors as a serious hazard to honey bees is discussed. It seems that the field of honey bee physics is open for future investigations with focus on bee-parasite and bee-environment interactions.

Bees, with their ability to make sweet tasting honey, have been highly valued across many human cultures spanning thousands of years. In relation to western husbandry techniques, honeybees (Apidae) have been domesticated by humans to produce honey in large quantities for human consumption. The focus of this paper is not on the well-known, widespread honeybee but a close family relative of the Apidae, the smaller, stingless bee (Meliponidae). For Yolngu living on country, in the homeland communities of northeast Arnhem Land, Australia the relationship with these local, endemic bees is quite different from the large-scale beekeeping industry used to pollinate major agricultural crops. A highly anticipated activity is sugarbag season where Yolngu men, women and children undertake excursions into the bush in search of these tiny bees to extract honey. The bee is celebrated through “Sugarbag Dreaming”: in song, dance, painting and ceremony. This paper examines some of the ways that people and bees converge in Arnhem Land. Through the many layers of meaning, the paper aims to demonstrate how Yolngu philosophy recognises bees as being an integral part of an interconnected and complex ecology.

In this study, we propose an easy approach by combining the Fourier transform infrared and attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy together with chemometrics analysis for rapid detection and accurate quantification of five adulterants such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, corn syrup and cane sugar in stingless bees (Heterotrigona itama) honey harvested in Malaysia. Adulterants were classified using principal component analysis and soft independent modeling class analogy, where the first derivative of the spectra in the wavenumber range of 1180-750cm was utilized. The protocol could satisfactorily discriminate the stingless bees honey samples that were adulterated with the concentrations of corn syrup above 8% (w/w) and cane sugar over 2% (w/w). Feasibility of integrating FTIR-ATR with chemometrics for precise quantification of the five adulterants was affirmed using partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis. The study found that optimal PLSR analysis achieved standa...

Each honey is unique on the basis of chemistry, quantity and combination of the various components that attributes towards its quality. The control and characterization of quality are of great importance and interest in apiculture. Henceforth the present study analyzed the quality parameters of honeys from different bee origin and compared the results with the quality criteria laid by European Union Directive for honeys. Processing was noted to have detrimental
effect on several quality parameters of honeys; in spite of which it was remarkably within the critical limits. Moisture and electrical conductivity were within the limits as specified by EU, while slight elevation was noticed in honeys viz., Apis mellifera and Apis florea in their ash content, sucrose content and acidity. Hydroxymethyl furfural content and diastase activity of the honeys were within the levels of EU directive. The microbial analysis indicated that none of the honeys analyzed were infested with pathogenic coliforms.

The geographic location of Colombia and its mega-biodiversity have been identified as advantages for meliponiculture. This study analyzed pot-honey samples from different genera native from different regions of Colombia. The number of analyzed honey samples varies according to the genus and the species (Frieseomelitta sp., Melipona compressipes, Melipona favosa, Melipona eburnea, Melipona sp., Nannotrigona testaceicornis, Nannotrigona sp., Paratrigona sp., Partamona sp., Plebeia sp., Scaptotrigona limae, Scaptotrigona sp., Tetragona sp., and Tetragonisca angustula). The largest number of samples corresponds to the genera Melipona and Tetragonisca because there is ample breeding of those species. Physicochemical analyses performed were: moisture and carbohydrate (glucose, fructose and disaccharides), ash and mineral contents, color, pH, free acidity, diastase activity, HMF, conductivity and specific rotation. This chapter summarizes existing information regarding the physicochemical properties, nutritional information and quality of Colombian pot-honey. The ranges for physicochemical features of Melipona genus were: moisture (24.8–27.6 g/100 g), fructose (36.7–39.3 g/100 g), glucose (30.9–38.5 g/100 g), disaccharides (3.1–6 g/100 g), ash (0.01–0.20 g/100 g), color (34.4–80 mm Pfund) and the ranges for physicochemical features of T. angustula were as follows: moisture (22–26.6 g/100 g), fructose (24.7–35.6 g/100 g), glucose (17.1–29.9 g/100 g), disaccharides (1.8–6.4 g/100 g), ash (0.21–0.28 g/100 g), color (49–70 mm Pfund), pH (4.2–4.5), free acidity (39.2–62.1 meq/kg), diastase activity (16.7–25.9 DN), HMF (1.3–3.3 mg/kg), conductivity (601–715 μS/cm), and specific rotation (1.3–3.9). It is necessary to continue the characterization process that leads to a better knowledge of this valuable product, and the establishment of laws that regulate falsification and adulteration.

Stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) is a unique eco-friendly agro-practice with the potential for environmental amelioration and income generation. Meliponiculture would be ideal for generation of supplementary income to resource-poor farmers around forests, in addition to conservation of stingless bees. Assessment of the knowledge of stingless bees by the community around Kakamega forest indicated that most people know stingless bees but they do not undertake any active conservation measures. Results obtained from this study indicated that two genera of stingless bees, Meliponula and Hypotrigona, occur in Kakamega forest. The community around Kakamega forest identifies stingless bees by their morphological features, nesting architecture, and the taste, smell, and colour of their honey. Rearing/domestication of stingless bees (meliponiculture) is one of the important activities that can be integrated into forestry services to diversify income for the rural poor from non-timber products.

Honey bee, Apis mellifera L., is considered as an essential organism to the agricultural sector due to its role in pollination and alleviation of poverty in rural areas. Many pests attack honey bee colonies causing severe damages and economic losses. These pests include Varroa mites, Vespa hornets, wax moths, small hive beetles, and parasitic flies. Using chemical methods to control these pests causes some negative effects on honey bees and contaminates their products, while using biological control agents is promising and has no serious hazards. This article aimed to review available studies on the role of biological control agents mainly predators, parasitoids, and pathogens in controlling bee's pests and to present new perspectives. Also, obstacles of using biocontrol agents inside and outside the hives were presented. This article is essential for planning integrated management programs for honey bee pests.

RESUMEN. Se presenta información sobre el género Plebeia Schwarz, 1938 con el propósito de facilitar el reconocimiento de las 12 especies conocidas para México. Las Plebeia de México están separadas en grupos de especies, como el formado por P. frontalis, P. llorentei y P. jatiformis presente en los bosques tropicales. Otro grupo es P. fulvopilosa, P. manantlensis de los bosques templados del centro y sur de México. También P. cora, P. parkeri y P. mexica son cercanas morfológicamente. La forma oscura de P. fulvopilosa con frecuencia se confunde con P. melanica, pero la primera solo está presente en las montañas de Michoacán y la Sierra Madre del Sur y la segunda en tierras bajas con bosque tropical perennifolio. Plebeia pulchra y P. jatiformis presentan el integumento más de entre las presentes en México. Plebeia mourena es la más pequeña con sólo 3 mm. Se presentan comentarios sobre las especies y una nueva clave ilustrada para su reconocimiento. ABSTRACT. Information is presented on genus Plebeia Schwarz, 1938 in order to facilitate the identification of the 12 known species of Mexico. The Plebeia of Mexico, have groups of species, such as formed by P. frontalis, P. llorentei and P. jatiformis, present in tropical forests. Another group is formed by P. fulvopilosa, P. manantlanensis, of temperate forests of central and southern Mexico and P. melanica of tropical low lands. Also P. cora, P. parkeri and P. mexica are close morphologically. The dark form of P. fulvopilosa frequently gets confused with P. melanica, but the first is only present in the mountains of Michoacan and the Sierra Madre del Sur and the second in areas with tropical rain forests. The species P. pulchra y P. jatiformis have the clearer integument, among the Plebias of Mexico. P. mourena is the smallest with only 3 mm. comments on species are present and a new illustrated key for identification.

A grande riqueza de abelhas está atrelada à grande diversidade de plantas com flores, que possuem certas atratividades para garantir a visita às flores, e consequente polinização. No Rio Grande do Sul, estudos sobre a fauna de abelhas e a flora apícola associada já foram realizados, porém ainda são escassos. Desta forma, correlacionamos os táxons de abelhas e espécies de plantas coletados em uma área florestal urbana e verificamos as relações ecológicas e tróficas entre elas, especialmente ao nicho da abelha exótica Apis mellifera Linnaeus, sobre as abelhas silvestres. Coletamos nas flores um total de 2.772 abelhas determinadas em cinco famílias, 54 gêneros e 88 táxons. Apidae foi a família melhor representada com 35 espécies e 2.047 indivíduos. As abelhas foram coletadas em 43 espécies de plantas classificadas em 19 famílias botânicas sendo Asteraceae a mais visitada. A planta com o maior número de abelhas coletadas foi Citrus sinensis (L.), 30% do total, tendo A. mellifera a mais representativa. 34% dos táxons de abelhas estão correlacionados às espécies de plantas visitadas, contudo, quando verificamos esta correlação excluindo a espécie A. mellifera, ocorre um aumento significativo, atingindo 93%. A manutenção deste fragmento vegetal a suas flores é importante para conservação da biodiversidade apifauna local. Palavras-chave: Abelhas nativas, Apis mellifera; polinização; sobreposição de nicho trófico; visitantes florais. Diversity of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and floral visitation in an Atlantic Forest area in southern Brazil Abstract. The high bees' richness is associated to the great diversity of flowering plants, which have some attractiveness to ensure flowers visiting and the consequent pollination. In Rio Grande do Sul state, studies on the bee fauna associated with bee flora have already been made but are uncommon. In this way, the taxa of bees and plants species visited were correlated, and the ecological and trophic relations between them, particularly in relation to the niche of the exotic bee Apis mellifera Linnaeus on wild bees were analyzed, in an urban forest area. We collected 2,772 bees from the flowers, determined in five families, 54 genera and 88 taxa. Apidae was the best family represented with 35 species and 2,047 individuals. The bees were collected from 43 plants species, classified in 19 botanical families, Asteraceae are the most visited. The plant with the largest number of bees collected was Citrus sinensis (L.), 30% of the bees, and the A. mellifera the most representative. 34% of the taxa of bees are correlated to the species of plants visited, however, when we see this correlation excluding A. mellifera, there is a significant increase, reaching 93%. The maintenance of this plant fragment and the flowers is important for preserving the bees' biodiversity in this site.

chan  vera  aldasoro  sotelo / análisis de la meliponicultura en tabasco 289 estudios de cultura maya liii: 289-326 (2019) Retomando saberes contemporáneos. Un análisis del panorama actual de la meliponicultura en Tabasco Reconsidering Contemporary Knowledge. Resumen: La meliponicultura, practiada por distintas culturas, está constituida de diversos saberes contemporáneos (conocimientos, prácticas y creencias en cons-tante producción y reproducción). El presente estudio aborda el estado actual de la meliponicultura en Tabasco, considerándola como patrimonio biocultural. Se reali-zaron entrevistas semiestructuradas sobre la relación que tienen las personas con las abejas que cultivan y los saberes contemporáneos que poseen. Se registraron 101 meliponicultores en 15 de los 17 municipios, el 24% pertenece a un grupo indí-gena. El municipio con mayor número de meliponicultores es el de Tenosique (37), seguido de Tacotalpa (14) y Balancán (11). Se cultivan once especies de meliponi-nos. Se entrevistaron 81 meliponicultores y se clasificaron en tres tipos de acuerdo a su objetivo: tradicionales (52%), resignificados (42%) y conservacionistas (6%). Lo más común es tener la colmena en troncos (52%), un 32% las tiene en cajas y un 16%, tanto en troncos como en troncos modificados y cajas. El 11% de los melipo-nicutores sabe dividir sus colmenas. La miel, la cera y la colmena tienen diferentes usos: comestibles, medicinales y religiosos. La relación de los meliponicultores con las abejas es compleja y va más allá de lo utilitario; esta práctica implica saberes contemporáneos sobre la etología, ecología y morfología de las especies de meli-poninos. Hay un declive de la meliponicultura en Tabasco por lo que es apremiante tener un mayor conocimiento de ésta y fomentarla entre las nuevas generaciones a partir de un diálogo de saberes.

Honey has a plethora of researches that related to its use in many disease conditions along with its recognition as a complete food for improving general health among humans irrespective of their age group. Literature so far highlights the floral specificity in the therapeutic properties of honey. In the present investigation honeys from different bee origin were collected in the raw and processed form and their therapeutic effects were ascertained. The antidiabetic property of the honeys was analyzed using the in vitro alpha amylase and alpha glycosidase enzyme inhibition assays. Among the honeys analyzed raw (77.61 % and 80.46 % at 500 µg/ml) and processed (64.84 % and 78.29 % at 500 µg/ml) Trigona honeys were found to have highest percentage of inhibition against alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzyme, respectively. The honeys analyzed were having moderate glycemic index and glycemic load values. This opens up scope for its utilization by diabetic people who prefer to have sugar occasionally.

The infestation of Pyemotes sp. on T. iridipennis colonies was investigated under experimental conditions. These parasitic mites were found in intersegments of the queen bee and also found on pupal brood cells. The infested colony becomes queen less and leads to death of the colony within a month. The food store from the infested colonies attracted the bees from nearby colonies and their enemies. The forager bees from nearby colonies were found to collect the food and construction materials from infected colonies and it leads to dispersion of the Pyemotes sp. on nearby colonies. The isolation of infested colonies and skillful management practices are the only way to restricting the infestation and dispersion of Pyemotes sp.

Three species of stingless bees were collected from Borneo. The species were Geniotrigona lacteifasciata (4 samples), Tetragonula melanocephala (2 samples) and Tetragonula sirindhornae (4 samples). Several features such as the morphology of mandible, the shape and size of corbiculae, and the hamuli number on both left and right wings were compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed all three species have the same structures of mandibles with two pointed tooth and one large blade, which could be considered as mildly aggressive. G. lacteifasciata showed a wider corbiculae compared to T. melanocephala and T. sirindhornae. The larger corbiculae is assumed to collect and carry heavier pollen load. SEM observation showed clear hamuli on both wings but with asymmetrical number for some. G. lactefasciata showed either 9 hamuli on both wings, or 9 hamuli on the left and 8 on the right wings, or 9 hamuli on the left and 10 hamuli on the right wings. T. melanocephala exhibited a similar number of hamuli, which was 5 hamuli on both wings. T. sirindhornae showed either 4 or 5 hamuli on both side of wings. It could be assumed that the stingless bees with more hamuli will fly further for foraging.

In India honey bees like Apis cerana and Apis mellifera are reared for commercial purpose. The other bees like rock bee (Apis dorsata), little bee (Apis florea) and dammer bee (Trigona sp) are not domesticated because of their ecophysiology. However, the kani tribes living in Karayar area of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve area (KMTR) of Western Ghats have developed a novel method of rearing the dammer bees. The objective of the study is to understand the traditional skill of Kani tribes to rear the stingless bee (Trigona sp.) which was not used for regular bee keeping. The present study also gives importance to evolve commercial strategies to get honey (medicinal honey) from Trigona sp. The findings of the present study will help to preserve the art of rearing stingless bees and to introduce modern techniques to harvest pure, clean and uncontaminated honey by suitable modifications in the indigenous practice of stingless bee rearing. The honey produced by dammer bees is a panacea for much human illness. The Kani tribes have developed a bamboo pole bee hive to keep this stingless bee belonged to the species Trigona irredipensis. The dammer bees build an interesting type of comb made of propolis, mud and about 600-700gm honey is collected per year per hive. Because of rich medicinal value the honey collected from this beehive is sold at a rate of Rs.1000/Kg.

Resumen Se aportan nuevos registros a la fauna de abejas sin aguijón (tribu Meliponini) para los estados de Oaxaca y Chiapas. Para ello, se hicieron muestreos intensivos de estas abejas, con lo cual se reunieron registros de distribución, incluyendo las aportadas por investigadores, las presentes en colecciones y los reportados en la literatura. Se tienen 12 registros nuevos de especies de abejas sin aguijón para Oaxaca y se confirma la presencia en Chiapas de Paratrigona opaca. Adicionalmente, se discute sobre la distribución de estas abejas en estos estados y el país. Se espera que la información sobre la fauna y la distribución de las abejas sin aguijón ayude en los esfuerzos de conservación regional, uso de estas abejas en la meliponicultura y la polinización. Abstract New records for the fauna of stingless bees (tribe Meliponini) in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas are reported. These records were obtained through intensive sampling of these bees. A database of the records generated from this sampling effort was compiled along with data provided by other researchers, data present in collections, and data reported in the literature. The study shows 12 new records of Meliponini not previously identified in Oaxaca, and confirms the presence of the species Paratrigona opaca in Chiapas. In addition, the distribution of these bees in the 2 states and the country is discussed. It is expected that this information on the fauna and distribution of stingless bees will help regional conservation efforts and the use of these bees in stingless beekeeping and pollination.

Se evalúa cómo los conocimientos locales aportan información
sobre la riqueza de abejas sin aguijón en el Bosque Atlántico
del Alto Paraná, Norte de Misiones, Argentina. Para
ello se compara la información relevada en el presente estudio,
con estudios etnográficos y biológicos disponibles. Las
especies citadas en los trabajos discutidos son similares. En
este estudio se halló que los criollos conocen 12 etnoespecies
pertenecientes a 16 especies biológicas de Meliponini. Existe
consenso sobre los nombres vernáculos utilizados, aunque es
común encontrar un elevado número de sinónimos para algunas
especies. En general, la riqueza de etnoespecies reportadas
es menor a la riqueza biológica local. Esto cambia cuando
se combinan métodos etnográficos y la colecta de ejemplares
de referencia. El número de especies reportadas por los criollos
es menor a la estimada para regiones cercanas. No obstante
los conocimientos locales aportan información relevante
sobre la riqueza de especies de abejas sin aguijón. Se reporta
por primera vez para Argentina Lestrimelitta rufipes y se confirma
la presencia en Argentina y Misiones de al menos cuatro
especies. Se discute la necesidad de explicitar los métodos
empleados para analizar las diferencias intra-culturales y de
aumentar los esfuerzos de colecta en estudios etnozoológicos.

Il miele di api senza pungiglione non è ancora considerato miele dalla normativa internazionale, ma è diffuso in tanti paesi del mondo, affonda in una cultura antica e produce una sorprendente diversità di aromi. E' in corso uno sforzo per caratterizzarne le componenti nutrizionali e per trovare il metodo più adeguato di conservazione

– Melipona stingless bee species of Central America and Mexico are important ecologically, culturally, and economically as pollinators and as a source of food and medicine. Despite their importance, however, information on their distribution patterns is limited. We propose potential distribution models for 11 Melipona species in the region. Our main findings support previous data which suggest a revision of the taxonomic status of some species (e.g., M. yucatanica), and set a baseline on the conservation status of other species, challenging previous reports (e.g., M. beecheii). Our models show that 20 % or less of the areas of predicted presence are under protection, with large proportions corresponding to low-intensity cropland, offering conservation alternatives in disturbed landscapes. This information will assist further studies on potential conservation strategies, and will aid in analyzing and formulating hypotheses regarding the biogeography of these species.

First results of botanical characterization of honeys produced by Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae, Meliponinae) in Los Naranjos, Salta, Argentina. The melissopalynological analysis was performed on ten honeys samples of Tetragonisca angustula Latreille breeding in the locality Los Naranjos (S 23°07' 19,2"; W 64°40' 32,6"), Salta, Argentina. We found a whole of 49 pollen types. In the honey monofloral, the dominant types corresponded to: Anadenanthera colubrina, Baccharis, Citrus sp., native Myrtaceae and a type undetermined (type 6). The remaining samples were multifloral. 62% of pollen types corresponding to representatives of the Yungas mountain forest; types like Anadenanthera colubrina, Bocconia integrifolia, Parapiptadenia excelsa, Phyllostylon rhamnoides, Sapium haematospermum, type Myrsine and a set of native Myrtaceae, which constitute the first appointment as nectar sources for T. angustula. Also identified pollen from plants typical of anthropogenic environments such as Carica papaya, Citrus sp., Eucalyptus sp., Leonurus sibiricus, among others. These results provide a first approximation to the knowledge of the flora used by T. angustula and geographic origin of their honey, establishing the first record of mountain forest of Yungas.

The uses of wild bees products and plants in the traditional medicine of the province of Misiones, Argentina, was studied; particularly regarding bee species and therapeutic uses of honey-based concoctions. In this paper, 412 different uses were reported, comprising 9 wild bees taxa. Among the useful products collected from wild bee hives, honey was the most frequently used; mainly for respiratory afflictions and as functional foods. Honeys are used as the basic ingredient of 61 concoctions, where 39 plant species, 6 manufactured products, and 5 products of animal origin may be mixed-in alternatively. Consensus between informants was found regarding primary products, but not in the combinations used in the recipes. Honeys produced by Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Apis mellifera stand out due to their widespread use and high value given by inhabitants. These honeys could be considered as complementary therapeutic products, but a priori not as interchangeable ones. However, specificities in the medicinal use of Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Apis mellifera honeys should be understood as a continuum, shaped by other factors such as availability and access.

Over the past decades, both wild and domesticated insect pollinators are in dramatic decline, which puts at stake the existence of species, ecosystem resilience and global food security. Globally, 87 of major food crops depend on animal pollination. Together these account for 35 % of the world food production volume. Pollinator mediated crops are indispensable for essential micronutrients in the human diet. Many ornamental plants as well as crops for fibre, fodder, biofuels, timber and phytopharmaceuticals also depend on insect pollinators. This article aims to map the current situation of pollinators worldwide, with a focus on the critical role of pollinators in the human food chain and ecosystem sustainability, their intrinsic and extrinsic value, as well as the causes of their declines and the interventions needed to conserve them, in order to develop an argument for the importance of conserving and restoring pollinator populations and diversity. The present pollinator crisis threatens global and local food security, can worsen the problems of hidden hunger, erodes ecosystem resilience, and can destabilise ecosystems that form our life support system. An integrated approach that simultaneously addresses the key drivers is needed. This includes creation and restoration of floral and nesting resources, a global phase out of prophylactic use of neonicotinoids and fipronil, improvement of test protocols in authorisation of agrochemicals, and restoration and maintenance of independence in regulatory science. The authors argue that an international treaty for global pollinator stewardship and pollinator ecosystem restoration should be initiated in order to systemically counteract the current crisis.

Trichotrigona camargoiana sp. nov. from Candeias do Jamari, Rondônia, Brazil is described and illustrated, along with nesting and behavior, as the second species of the rare and unusual genus Trichotrigona Camargo & Moure, 1983. The new species differs from T. extranea Camargo & Moure, 1983 by having plumose setae on the face and mesepisterna, wing setae predominantly yellow and black metatibia. The diagnosis for Trichotrigona is updated. As believed for T. extranea, T. camargoiana sp. nov. apparently does not store food and is a cleptobiotic social bee associated with Frieseomelitta.

This research was carried out to evaluate the performance of stingless bees' colonies, Tetragonisca angustula Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera, Meliponinae), in Maringá region in the south of Brazil. Twenty colonies were settled in the following types of hives: Fritzen, Guiliani, Nogueira-Neto, and Antonio Carlos Farias (ACF), with five replications each type. The experimental season was from December, 1999 to December 2000. Monthly, the hives were weighed in order to get the colony weight. Data were analyzed statistically using the month as co variable and Scheffes’s test to compare the means. The colonies settled in Guiliani and Nogueira Neto hives showed the best performance differing (P=0.0004) from colonies settled in Fritzen and ACF types. The average of colony weight was 387.3 ± 92.2 g, 375.8 ± 72.6 g, 241.2 ± 137.1 g e 230.9 ± 55.3g, respectively, for those settled in Guiliani, Nogueira-Neto, ACF and Fritzen types. The critical months were March and May 2000, when eight of them died and eight deserted. The colonies kept in Guiliani and Nogueira-Neto types presented a steady weight. Thus we concluded that Guiliani and Nogueira-Neto types of hives would be highly recommended for Maringá region in the south of Brazil.

Terry Houston has studied the native bees for more than 50 years and has now shared his skills and knowledge in this magnificent guide to the fauna of Australia. An overview of bee biology in 22 chapters makes up the first of the book’s two parts. The second part, with 11 chapters, deals with their identification on a family-by-family basis. The European Bumblebee and its presence ‘down under’ was what I flipped through to first, not because of that ditty but prompted, instead, by a field encounter in Tasmania back in 2007. It was on a warm, sunny day in mid-November at the Arthurs Lake Dam, when an orange-banded whopper with a buff tail skirted the tops of the snow gums, buzzing past loudly before vanishing in that woodland wilderness. I was left more than astonished – not because it ignored me – but because I was unaware that this bee was in Australia! I had wondered at the time how it got into the high country for starters, and who allowed its introduction to the state, and when? It had in fact been in Tassie for many years by 2007, and there were even calls by some (on the internet at that time) to bring it to the mainland! Twelve more years have passed and it remains as a new Australian, wanted by some but not all. Environmentalists know all too well that bumblebees can displace native bees, so the spread of this exotic is concerning. Today, perhaps that call in the ditty to squash one would not be so out-of-place in Tasmania! The short chapter on ‘Bees introduced to Australia’ lists all six species, with the European Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) given third place (albeit without a photo). It would come with no surprise to most, that since its introduction in 1992 it “has now established over the whole of the main island as well as islands in Bass Strait” (pp. 246-247).

Se ofrece un panorama de la diversidad, la historia natural y la conservación de las abejas de Costa Rica, las cuales se destacan por mantener una relación simbiótica con las flores y por preservar el planeta.

AUTORES: Jorge Arturo Lobo Segura, Gordon W. Frankie, Ingrid Aguilar Monge, Eduardo Herrera González, Mariana Acuña Cordero, Mauricio Fernández Otárola, Paul E. Hanson Snortum , Rollin Coville

The manner in which Indigenous communities in remote northern Aus-tralia interact with local species of honeybees is described as a multifaceted situation. The main language communities discussed in this paper include Kune, Rem-barrnga, Djinang and Yolngu Matha. The mundane aspect of the human-honeybee situation is reflected in indigenous people's knowledge of the distribution of different honeybee types in the natural environment, as well as of ways of identifying and locating beehives. A specialist technique of tagging individual bees to locate a hive is described by a Kune language speaker; in other communities, there appear to be culture-specific norms that dictate the rights of the honey-hunter over a particular hive. The ritual and ceremonial significance of honeybees to the communities of Arnhem Land form an important second aspect of the human-honeybee situation. Forming a bridge between the two aspects, regular increase ceremonies performed at sacred sites assure a plentiful harvest of honey in the upcoming season. A more complex ceremony, owned by the Marrangu Djinang people, is associated with the myth of the ancestral being Mewal, who is said to have been, among other things, a honey hunter. The Mewal myth is also woven into funerary rites, with depictions of honeybees symbolizing a link between the living and the dead. Finally, it is Mewal who 'sends' honeybees to numerous neighboring, affiliated clans, thereby creating a sense of unity between otherwise distinct linguistic and cultural communities.

In this study, we record for the first time the genus Notocyrtus (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) from Argentina based on three species: Notocyrtus dorsalis (Gray), Notocyrtus dispersus Carvalho & Costa, and Notocyrtus foveatus Stål. We also describe and illustrate a mimetic complex comprising the three Notocyrtus species and Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius) (Apidae, Meliponini), that were collected on Bahuinia forficata Link (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae). We include biological comments on the plant-reduvid-bee interaction and hypothesize about the functionality of the mimetic complex described.