Trigona

Trigona is a genus of stingless bees in the family Apidae, tribe Meliponini. They are primarily Neotropical, with numerous species found across Central and South America in tropical forests and agricultural habitats. Modern taxonomic revisions have moved many species formerly placed in Trigona to other melipotine genera, leaving a smaller core of species in the genus.

Colonies are eusocial, with a queen, workers, and drones. Workers are female and undertake tasks such as brood care, foraging, and nest maintenance. Nests are built in cavities such as hollow trees, dead wood, or human-made structures, and are lined with wax combs and reinforced with propolis to deter pathogens and predators.

Trigona bees feed on nectar and pollen, playing an important role as pollinators in tropical ecosystems. Their small size and high colony activity improve pollination of a wide range of plants, including many crops. They typically forage over relatively short distances and may visit a variety of flowering species.

Honey produced by meliponine bees including Trigona is often referred to as meliponine honey and is collected in some regions for traditional use. The bees have stings that are reduced or absent, and defense is achieved through aggressive nest defense, physical barriers, and alarm signals rather than stinging in many cases.

Threats and conservation: Habitat destruction, pesticide exposure, and climate change threaten many meliponine species, including those formerly placed in Trigona. Some species are kept in managed hives for pollination and honey production, which can support livelihoods but must be practiced sustainably to protect wild populations.