We were intrigued with the stingless bee (Kelulut in Bahasa Malaysia) when we first heard of it – as we were keen to have a bee hive in our farm. We were thinking that we could harvest honey and also encourage pollinators in our farm. Here’s what I have read and discovered – the interesting facts about stingless bee that I did not even know about.
The Role of Stingless Bees
#1 Pollination Powerhouses: Essential for the Ecosystem
With their tiny size and gentle demeanor, stingless bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants and ensuring biodiversity in various ecosystems. These bees are highly efficient pollinators, visiting numerous flowers in search of nectar and pollen, thus aiding in the reproduction of plants. They are important for the plants, flowers, trees, and crops to thrive and survive.
#2 Honey Production
Although they produce smaller quantities than honeybees, stingless bees make a unique type of honey, known as “Melipona honey” or “pot-honey.” This honey has a slightly sour taste and is valued for its potential medicinal properties.
#3 Environmental Indicators
Stingless bees are often used as indicators of environmental health. This is because they are very sensitive to environmental changes. Their presence (or absence) in an area can indicate ecosystem quality and biodiversity levels.
#4 Medicinal Usage
Their honey and other products, like propolis and pollen, are known for their potential health benefits. Melipona honey is highly valued in traditional medicine for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties.
#5 Other Bee Products
Stingless bees are not just known for their delicious honey; they also produce a range of other valuable products that have long been utilized by humans. These products include propolis, which is used for its antibacterial properties, beeswax for candles and cosmetics, and even royal jelly that is rich in nutrients. For instance, propolis is a resin-like substance that they collect from tree buds and use to fill crevices in their hives. This antibacterial compound not only protects the bee colony from infections but also has medicinal properties for humans when consumed or applied topically.
#6 Sustainable Agriculture
By using stingless bees for pollination, especially in small-scale or organic farms, farmers can reduce the need for artificial pollination methods and pesticides, creating a more sustainable approach to agriculture.
Social Structure of Stingless Bee Colonies
The Hierarchy: Queens, Workers, and Drones
Queens in stingless bee colonies are responsible for laying eggs, while workers take care of the nest, gather food, and care for the young. Drones, on the other hand, are male bees whose primary role is to mate with the queen. The hierarchy within a stingless bee colony ensures that each member has a specific role to play in the survival and success of the colony.
Communication and Cooperation
The communication and cooperation among stingless bees are fascinating to observe. These bees have a highly developed system of pheromones and dance-like movements to convey information about food sources, potential threats, and the location of new nesting sites. The level of cooperation among stingless bees is crucial for the overall efficiency and productivity of the colony.
Stingless bees work together harmoniously, with each member contributing to the well-being of the colony. They share resources, divide tasks efficiently, and defend their nest against intruders. This high level of cooperation allows stingless bee colonies to thrive in their natural habitats.
Stingless Bees and Humans
Sweet Benefits: How Humans Use Stingless Bee Products
Many people are familiar with the honey produced by traditional honeybees, but not as much is known about the sweet benefits of stingless bee products. The honey harvested from stingless bees is not only delicious but also holds medicinal properties that are highly sought after. Additionally, these bees produce pollen, propolis, and even a unique type of wax that have various applications in traditional medicine and cosmetics.
Conservation Efforts to Protect Our Tiny Allies
The bees are vital pollinators in many ecosystems and their survival is crucial for maintaining biodiversity. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these tiny allies from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. By creating protected areas, promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, and raising awareness about the importance of stingless bees, we can ensure their populations thrive for generations to come.
Bees are facing numerous threats, including deforestation, urbanization, and the spread of diseases. It is crucial that we take action now to safeguard these important pollinators and protect our food sources.
Another important aspect of conservation is supporting local communities that rely on stingless bee products for their livelihood. By providing alternative sources of income and education on sustainable harvesting practices, we can empower communities to protect both the bees and their habitats.
Our Very Own Bee Hive!
Drawing together all the fascinating aspects of the stingless bee, we see that their purpose goes beyond just producing honey. Honey in fact is a reserved food for the bees and our main intention is for pollination. We have some very young fruit trees and durian trees in our farm, and bees is very important to help the trees in the fruiting process.
Here’s what we got to kick-start our own bee hive in the farm:
- A steel pole – RM90
- Bee hive box (Large) – RM 138.
- 100 gm of Bitumen/Propolis (from the nest of the kelulut thoracica) with the purpose to attract the bees.
- Vitex Negundo plant – which was needed to attract the kelulut bees due to its nectar. Unfortunately the plant does not survived after we moved it to the farm due to the hot sun.
Updates 5th May: We went on May 1st, there is no bees and the bee hives is broken. I guess it cannot withstand the weather. And the rain water will slip in, I guess one of the reason the bees is not moving in. Need to find time in another trip to try repair it.
