Trigona bees

Systematic position: Trigona (Trigona) is a genus of stingless bees belonging to the order Hymenoptera, family Apidae, and subfamily Meliponinae. These social insects are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, serving as essential pollinators for many wild plant species and agricultural crops.

Crops affected: While beneficial as pollinators, certain species of Trigona can act as pests for various agricultural plants. They frequently target fruit trees, citrus, cocoa, and various tropical flowers. Their damage is primarily focused on young shoots, floral buds, and developing fruit surfaces, which they scrape to gather materials for hive construction or resin.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle of Trigona bees involves a highly complex eusocial colony structure with a single queen. They build perennial nests using a mixture of resin, wax, and mud. Larval development occurs within specially constructed pots where they are fed with pollen and nectar. The colonies remain active throughout the year, especially in tropical climates, which supports rapid population growth.

Nature of damage: The harm caused by these bees relates to the physical destruction of plant epidermis. By scraping the surfaces of stems and fruit, they create open wounds. These wounds often lead to tissue dehydration, stunted growth, and secondary pathogen infestation, which can cause significant economic losses in fruit quality and yield stability.

Protection measures: Managing Trigona populations requires a careful balance between pest control and preserving their role as pollinators. Effective strategies include:

• Installation of exclusion netting during the sensitive stages of plant flowering.
• Application of natural repellent substances that deter bees without causing lethal effects.
• Regular inspection of the orchard to prevent the establishment of colonies in or near high-value crop areas.
• Integrated pest management practices to minimize dependence on broad-spectrum insecticides.