OPTIMIZING STINGLESS BEE NUTRITION: A KEY TO COLONY HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

This chapter aims to elucidate and explore the challenges in stingless bee nutrition. Stingless bees are crucial pollinators for biodiversity and agriculture; however, the expansion of meliponiculture highlights the need for in-depth knowledge regarding their specific nutritional requirements. Adequate nutrition is vital for colony health, brood development, production of honey, pollen, and propolis, and disease resistance. Natural food sources include nectar, which provides essential carbohydrates for energy, and pollen, the primary source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, indispensable for growth and development. Malnutrition compromises the immune system, rendering colonies vulnerable to diseases and reducing productivity. Management strategies encompass floral planning, the cultivation of melliferous and polleniferous species, and continuous colony monitoring. Future challenges include the impacts of climate change on flowering patterns and agrochemical contamination. These factors underscore the critical importance of ongoing research into the specific nutritional requirements of each stingless bee species.