Crop Pollination by Stingless Bees

The role of insect pollinators in avocado production: A global review

“…( 1998 ) showed that buff‐tailed bumblebees were efficient pollinators, but it is thought that their high cost is currently prohibitive for wide‐scale use (Fetscher et al., 2000 ; Gazit & Degani, 2002 ) and there are risks associated with introducing managed bumblebees into countries where they are not native (Goulson, 2010 ; Ings et al., 2005 ). Stingless bees may also have the potential to be used for avocado pollination, as they are efficient pollinators and can be successfully managed (Can‐Alonzo et al., 2005 ; Ish‐Am et al., 1999 ; Quezada‐Euán et al., 2001 ; Ramírez et al., 2018 ). However, breeding on a large scale is difficult (Slaa et al., 2006 ) and therefore may be unfeasible for commercial systems, at least at the present time.…”

Pests and predators interference on the stingless bee population inhabited at different habitats amidst south-eastern Karnataka, India

“…They play a pivotal role as 'keystone pollinator species' in wild and various man-made agro-ecosystems [19] . Around 40-90% crop pollination is directly or indirectly aided by stingless bees [4,5] and more than 60 agricultural crops are depending on stingless bees for their pollination and propagation [28] . Since, these bees enter completely inside the flower and collect nectar and pollen, visit even very small sized flowers to large sized flowers in every ecosystem and helping the conservation of plant species at forests, agro-ecosystems and residential areas.…”

“…Many farmers and villagers spray pesticides into the nest entrance and sometime pour crude oil or chemicals inside the colony to kill the stingless bees. Unfortunately, farmers and local villagers are unaware of about stingless bees, their role and influence on pollination and propagation of different plant species [19,28] at local environment. The pest, B. siccana is regularly intervening with the normal activity of stingless bees [33] .…”

“…Pollinators like stingless bees are playing important role in changing landscapes at various crop lands [19] . Stingless bees influence the propagation of various crops [28] and improve the vegetation [22] . Hence, traditional beekeeping using stingless bee (e.g.…”

“…[22] Have reported the influence of the loss of Brazilian savanna vegetation and the occurrence of nests of stingless bees. [28] Have reported the crop pollination by stingless bees. In India, traditional beekeeping of stingless bee species (e.g.…”