Melipona scutellaris: General characteristics

Abstract

The creation of bees to sting is an activity carried out by ancient civilizations before the Christian era. Before European settlement, the Americas and Australia did not have these bees is that, instead, there were native species of honey that had atrophied sting. The creation of these bees came to be known as beekeeping or creation of stingless bees. The interest in creation is justified by the nutritional and therapeutic use of honey as well as being an alternative to the higher income of farmers. Besides honey, propolis and pollen, are potentially useful as an alternative income in rural properties. Zootechnical exploitation of stingless bees for commercial purposes is a recent activity in Brazil and has attracted the interest of producers to new ways of production. It is necessary to promote the conservation and diversity of these bees, freeing them from the risk of extinction.