Building Knowledge for Management of Native Bees in Trinidad & Tobago

Native bee species are perhaps less well-known in Trinidad and Tobago than exotic, honeybees (Apis mellifera), which are managed for honey production. The BES-Net Trinidad and Tobago (BES-Net TT) project is however hoping to increase awareness of these native bees, which play an important role in pollination of local plants and some key food crops. A recently held workshop series hosted by the project featured three sessions dedicated to sharing information on the biology of native stingless bees and successful bee management.

These workshops attracted the participation of a wide range of persons, including university students, beekeepers of honeybees, technical officers from the agricultural ministry (Government), persons managing food production businesses, young persons and retirees, as well as persons who have encountered colonies of these native bees and want to explore their management. The wild colonies of these bees are vulnerable due to several threats including felling of trees, pesticide use and habitat destruction; workshop participants were therefore guided on techniques used to box these hives safely, how to protect them from known pests, and how to split hives that have expanded and become well established in their artificial habitats.

Participants in the workshops were also provided with contact names of persons who have been successfully managing colonies of the native bees and were advised that additional resources will be compiled and shared with them to encourage and support their efforts in stingless bee conservation. Recordings of the workshops have also been uploaded to the project’s YouTube channel for wider dissemination: