Pesticides represent a significant threat to stingless bees, or meliponines, due to their direct and indirect exposure in agricultural environments. While there is abundant research on the effects of pesticides on the common honeybee (Apis mellifera), the impact on stingless bees has been much less studied, despite the fact that these species are crucial for pollinating crops such as cocoa, coffee, and various fruits in tropical and subtropical regions.
A recent analysis revealed that, between 2000 and 2024, only 144 studies on the impact of pesticides on stingless bees were published, compared to thousands of studies conducted on Apis mellifera. These studies, mostly carried out in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, only cover 43 of the over 600 known species of stingless bees. Furthermore, only 79 out of the 3,400 registered pesticides were evaluated.
Pesticides can cause lethal and sublethal effects on stingless bees. The latter include changes in behavior, loss of orientation, and alterations in colony division of labor. Such impacts jeopardize colony survival and their ability to pollinate efficiently. Unlike Apis mellifera, stingless bees have biological and behavioral differences that could make them more vulnerable to certain chemicals, but this variability is not considered in current risk assessments.
Pesticide regulation in Latin American countries often relies on international regulations that do not take stingless bees into account. For instance, organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the European Food Safety Authority focus their assessments on local species, overlooking native pollinators in tropical regions. This can result in a higher risk for stingless bees and other local pollinators.
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Recommendations and necessary actions to protect stingless bees
The study highlights the need to:
- Expand toxicological research to include tests on chronic exposure and sublethal effects on stingless bee larvae and adults.
- Update pesticide regulations in Latin America to include specific risk assessments for stingless bees.
- Promote public and agricultural awareness, emphasizing the importance of these pollinators in biodiversity and food security.
- Encourage regional scientific cooperation, led by networks like the Latin American Bee Research Society (SoLatInA), which works on the conservation of native bees.
Protecting stingless bees will not only preserve biodiversity, but also ensure the sustainability of agricultural production and food security in tropical regions.
Some peculiarities of bees
Bees are insects that have particular characteristics such as:
- Exoskeleton: Bees have a hard outer shield called an exoskeleton.
- Eyes: These insects have two compound eyes on the sides of their head and three simple eyes on top.
- Wings: They have two pairs of wings that move synchronously during flight.
- Division of labor: Eusocial bees, like honeybees, have a reproductive division of labor.
- Functions: they are pollinators, produce honey, propolis, royal jelly, and are essential for plant diversity.
- Types of bees: The queen bee is the only fertile female in the colony and is responsible for laying eggs, while the drone fertilizes the queen. Worker bees perform various tasks such as cleaning the hive, feeding the larvae, building combs, guarding the hive entrance, among others.
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