Where Do Stingless Bees Collect Plant Resins in the Neotropics?

Abstract

Stingless bees are the largest group of social bees, with greater diversity in the Neotropics. They obtain plant resins and other exudates for nest construction, protection, nutrition, and communication, and local people have traditionally exploited stingless bees to obtain products like honey, pollen, resins, and propolis. Although studies on chemical and medicinal properties of resins and propolis have increased during recent decades, knowledge about its botanical origin remains poor. Throughout a review of 79 studies and unpublished observations, we compiled information of 130 plant species used by stingless bees as sources of resins and other exudates. These plants mainly correspond to native woody species from the families Clusiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, and Moraceae. A half of was confirmed to produce resins, whereas the rest produce different exudates (e.g., mucilage, wax, and latex). Resins and exudates are mainly produced in nonfloral structures, with 67% of plant species recorded. However, the genus Clusia with 21 species is an important source of floral resins. In total, we recorded 410 interactions between 130 plant species and 94 stingless bee species, being the genera with more interactions Trigona, Melipona, and Tetragonisca (T. angustula). Species from these genera seemed to be generalist as they collected resins and exudates from diverse plant species. We additionally documented the concept of resins and other plant exudates.