BES-Net TT Workshop Series on Stingless Bees
Photo by Gail Hampshire on Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Gail Hampshire on Wikimedia Commons
In Trinidad and Tobago, stingless bees (Tribe Meliponini) are extremely beneficial for their role in producing honey, which is known for its vast medicinal properties and high economic value. Stingless bees are also known for their highly organized colonies, which allow them to thrive in their natural environment, making them an important part of the local ecosystem.
From September to November 2022, BES-Net TT – a project executed and implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Development and UNDP – organized a three-part workshop series dedicated to stingless bees.
Facilitated by Prof. Christopher K. Starr, retired Professor of Entomology, Mr. David Rostant, expert Meliponini beekeeper and the founder of the Trinbago Stingless Beekeepers Network, and the BES-Net TT team, this workshop series aimed to promote awareness of these bees, encourage their conservation and build knowledge of techniques for their management.
Part 1: Introduction to Stingless Bees
Prof. Starr commenced the workshop by introducing the participants to the different types of bees, such as orchid bees, bumble bees, honey bees and stingless bees. He also discussed their varying features and characteristics, providing participants with the knowledge to distinguish stingless bees in their local communities.
Mr. Rostant specifically presented the stingless bee species native to Trinidad and Tobago, including Trigona amalthea (pegone), Melipona favosa (erik), Friesemelitta paupera (petite angel), Nannotrigona testaceicornis (irai) and Plebia tobagoensis (mirim). He also provided insights into their pros and cons and the economic value of stingless bee hive products.
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Part 2: Splitting and Harvesting of Stingless Bee Hives
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
In the second part of the workshop, Mr. Rostant described the process of splitting and harvesting stingless bee colonies. He also discussed the necessary tools for splitting and harvesting – including a smoker, hive tool, soft brush, sieve, bowl and funnel – and their individual functions.
Mr. Rostant also provided insights into:
The steps of harvesting hive products in other types of hives, such as primitive log hives
Trapping bees
Pests of stingless bees
Plants visited by stingless bees
Part 3: Building Pollinator Habitats
As a crucial part of conserving and managing local stingless bee species in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Rostant demonstrated the process of building habitats for these pollinators. In particular, he shared information on habitat designs used in other countries and recommended modifications for artificial habitats for the local stingless bees based on his own experience.
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Takeaways from the Workshop
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Image courtesy of the BES-Net TT team.
Several workshop participants attended out of curiosity to learn about stingless bees. Some were keepers of non-native honeybees who hoped to learn about native bees and explore their management for honey production. Others were farmers who came to learn about the value of the bees in enhancing food production. Some horticulturalists were interested in learning about bee habitats and flower preferences to enhance their pollinator gardens.
At the end of the workshop series, most participants said the information was extremely useful. Several have already formulated follow-up plans to apply the information gained from the workshop.
The BES-Net TT team is assured that with the workshop series, interest in stingless bee management has been heightened. The team has already connected with the persons involved in artificial hive construction and bee colony supply to assist the enthusiastic workshop attendees.
Built with Shorthand
