Stingless Bees as Potential Pollinators in Agroecosystems in Argentina: Inferences from Pot-Pollen Studies in Natural Environments

Abstract

Stingless bees have proven to be effective pollinators of many crops both in open field and greenhouse conditions around the world. However, because their sensibility of both individuals and colonies to low temperatures, the subtropical and part of the temperate area of Argentina present favourable climate conditions for open field pollination. A total of 65 crops that require or benefit from animal pollination (highly autogamous and allogamous, with entomophilous pollination) were found suitable for meliponine pollination in Argentina, but this should be corroborated by means of field studies. Spatial and temporal availability of flowers from crops and wild vegetation was also described. Recommendations of best practice management of beneficial vegetation for the maintenance of permanent stingless bee colonies are given. A case study on strawberry crops in the temperate area of Argentina was also analyzed. A high diversity of native meliponine species from many genera in northern Argentina are suitable for numerous trials on a large number of crops.