Plebeia

Plebeia is a genus of small stingless bees in the family Apidae, tribe Melipini. Like other meliponines, Plebeia species are eusocial and form perennial colonies that include a reproductive queen, female workers, and males. Members of this genus are characterized by their diminutive size relative to honeybees and their lack of a functional sting, relying instead on other defensive behaviors to protect the nest.

The genus is Neotropical, with numerous described species distributed mainly across Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean. Taxonomic revisions have moved species between Plebeia and related genera as researchers refine Meliponini classifications. Species vary in size, nesting preferences, and foraging behavior, reflecting adaptation to diverse tropical habitats.

Nests are placed in hollow trunks, abandoned wood, rock crevices, or human-made structures, and are constructed with wax and propolis. They store honey and pollen in pot-like pots and use chemical and tactile cues to recruit nestmates for foraging. Foraging is generally opportunistic, with some degree of floral specialization in particular species. Colonies can persist for multiple years, often reproducing through swarming to establish new nests.

Plebeia bees are important pollinators in Neotropical ecosystems, supporting plant diversity and, in some regions, agricultural crops. They produce honey and other products that are used locally, and their wax and propolis have traditional and commercial value. Conservation concerns for Plebeia species include habitat loss, fragmentation, climate change, and disease, prompting efforts to protect habitats and support sustainable stingless-bee beekeeping.