Meliponid

Meliponid refers to any member of the tribe Meliponini, a group of stingless bees within the family Apidae. Meliponines are eusocial insects whose colonies consist of queens, workers, and males. They differ from honeybees (Apis) mainly in lacking a functional stinger and in their smaller body size. Most species store honey in wax pots and produce wax to build nests. They nest in hollow trees or other cavities, in termite mounds, rock crevices, or soil, and entrance sizes are typically small.

Geographic range and habitat: Meliponids occur in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with high diversity in the Neotropics; they are also found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. They adapt to forests, savannas, and even urban landscapes.

Ecology and behavior: colonies are perennial, with a division of labor between queens, workers, and males; foraging is largely flower-visiting for nectar and pollen; they also collect plant resins to seal and protect the nest. They communicate through pheromones and other chemical signals, rather than the waggle dance of honeybees. Pollination by meliponids is important for many tropical crops and wild plants.

Human interactions: Meliponids have long been kept by indigenous and modern beekeepers for honey, propolis, and crop pollination in a practice known as meliponiculture. Because of habitat loss, pesticides, and disease, several species are threatened or have declining populations in parts of their range. Conservation and sustainable management are important to preserve their ecological role.