Trigona fulviventris

Systematic position: Trigona fulviventris belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Apidae, and subfamily Meliponinae. These stingless bees are primarily distributed in the Neotropical regions and are known for their complex colonial organization and behavior.

Host plants: This species affects a wide variety of woody plants, including various fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. They are particularly attracted to young stems and branches, which they use as a source of building material for their hives.

Biology and life cycle: The species lives in permanent colonies located in tree cavities. The life cycle involves distinct castes: queens, workers, and drones. Workers collect plant resin and bark fragments, which they incorporate into cerumen, a mixture of wax and resin used for hive construction and defense.

Nature of damage: The primary economic impact is caused by the physical removal of plant tissue. By scraping bark and young tissues, the bees create open wounds on the plant surface. These injuries not only disrupt the plant's vascular system but also serve as entry points for secondary pathogens like fungi and bacteria.

Management and protection: Controlling Trigona fulviventris requires an integrated approach to avoid unnecessary environmental impact.

• Mechanical exclusion using protective netting during the early growth stage.
• Regular inspection and removal of active hives near sensitive plantations.
• Applying wound dressings to affected bark to prevent infection and secondary infestation.