The effects of introduction of the Sulawesi Endemic Stingless Bee Tetragonula cf. biroi from Sulawesi to Java on foraging behavior, natural enemies, and their productivity

Abstract

Abstract. Suhri AGMI, Soesilohadi RCH, Agus A, Kahono S. 2021. The effects of introduction of the Sulawesi Endemic Stingless Bee Tetragonula cf. biroi from Sulawesi to Java on foraging behavior, natural enemies, and their productivity. Biodiversitas 22: 5624-5632. The existence of species in an environment has gone through a long adaptation process to the natural environment. This study aims to determine the behavior of bees, pollen types, natural enemies, and products of the Sulawesi endemic bee Tetragonula cf. biroi in its natural habitat and after being introduced to Java. This research was conducted in North Luwu and Bone District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, as the native habitat. Purworejo, Magelang, and Bantul District in Java as an introduction site. The observation of foraging behavior was recorded by scan sampling method; pollen identification using the acetolysis method. Natural enemies were observed directly and through interviews with beekeepers. The results showed significant differences in the number of T. cf. biroi that returned to the nest between native and introduced habitats (p value < 0.05). Pollen collected by T. cf. biroi in Sulawesi were more varied in type. The woody plants and tall trees dominate the types of pollen they collect in Sulawesi. The pollen collected in Java was dominated by ornamental plants, intentionally grown as feed. The attack of Small hive beetle and black soldier flies larvae caused the colony of T. cf. biroi to die and not produce honey optimally. Another problem is the T. cf. biroi nest is taken over by the local bee Tetragonula laeviceps.

Foraging Activities, Environmental Factors, and Increment Weight of Tetragonula biroi Colonies in Beekeeping with Different Hive Materials

“…The field activity of bees exiting and entering after transferring the colonies to three different hive materials remained low, ranging from 34% to 51.76% compared to tree hallows. Similar results were observed [10], indicating that the field activity of T. biroi bees remained low at 39% in new hives after colony transfer during a three-month observation period. The low number of bees exiting and entering is likely due to the limited number of worker bees in the new colony.…”

Diversity, Distribution, Nesting, and Foraging Behavior of Stingless Bees and Recent Meliponiculture in Indonesia

“…Stingless bees can adapt to environmental changes (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) and changes in food sources within a few weeks to 3 months to form perfect colonies [90]. The transfer of colonies of stingless bees between islands in Indonesia and from the highlands to the lowlands on the island of Sulawesi has caused many colony deaths, and the colonies did not produce well [91].…”

Comparison of productivity from three stingless bees: Tetragonula sapiens, T. clypearis and T. biroi managed under same feed sources for meliponiculture

“…However, Kahono et al (2018) reported that T. biroi is also found in Papua. Suhri et al (2021) reported that the foraging activity of T. biroi is significantly lower at the introduced habitat in Bantul, Purworejo, and Magelang (Java) than in Luwu and Bone (Sulawesi) which is impacts greatly decreased the honey production. The introduction of the T. biroi by the beekeepers in West Lombok, Indonesia, aims to obtain higher honey production and propolis to improve and increase their income.…”

“…Nowadays, beekeepers usually select the stingless bee with high productivity and the process of beekeeping the stingless bee is called meliponiculture. For example, Tetragonula biroi (Friese, 1898) is mainly found on Sulawesi Island or called Sulawesi endemic stingless bee (Suhri et al 2021). However, Kahono et al (2018) reported that T. biroi is also found in Papua.…”

“…Furthermore, the production of honey from Tetragonula laeviceps (Smith, 1857) which is meliponiculture in Sleman, Yogyakarta, ranges from 60 to 263 mL/4 months (79.2 to 328 g/4 months) Agussalim and Agus 2022). In addition, Suhri et al (2021) reported that the honey production of T. cf. biroi in Purworejo is 500 mL/colony/8 months, in Bantul has never been harvested started from introduced in 2018.…”