Stingless Bees

Bee populations worldwide have been threatened by massive deforestation, climate change, and other factors. Indigenous bees in particular are threatened when traditional agriculture gives way to clearcutting, monoculture, and pesticides. Fewer bees mean fewer pollinators, fewer crops, and less plant diversity. Native stingless bees nest in hollow trees and ground cavities and provide valuable ecosystem services by pollinating native flora in dry tropical forests as well as valuable cash crops.

Many stingless bees store their honey in pots, unlike honey bees, which store honey in combs. Native bees are important indicator species for the ecosystem’s overall health.

In Central America, we are protecting biodiversity by reviving the ancient tradition of meliponiculture, which was practiced by the Mayans. Meliponiculture is the management of native stingless bees. It helps improve livelihoods through honey harvests and sales. Additionally, meliponiculture helps bring back native bee populations. Restoring native bees helps restore biodiversity in local watersheds because the bees’ pollination supports a wide variety of plants and wildlife.

Marcos Calero, our bee project coordinator, shows community members how to harvest honey from an artificial hive by using a syringe.

Several years into the program, we are seeing success for the bees. Farmers are managing 72 hives, generating food and medicine for the communities and also providing a source of revenue. We have collected over 1250 specimens of native bees, representing some of Nicaragua’s 400 species of native bees. Also, over 120 children have participated in educational curriculum that discuss the importance of bees as pollinators. By teaching adults and the next generation about recognizing and caring for these bees, we are helping ensure the survival of not only native stingless bees, but also the precious ecosystems of Central America.