PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING Bees for Development Journal 67

Simple ways to manage

stingless bees
Alejandro C Fa/ardo and
C/eo R Cervanc/a, Philippines
Stingless bees, species of Trigona,
are mass produced in the Philippines
for pollination and honey production.
The honey is used as a food
supplement and as a medicine for
colds, coughs and fevers. The price
of Thgona honey is twice that of
honey from honeybees.
The usual way of harvesting honey
a natural nest of Trigona
disturbs the colony because of the
destruction of a large portion of the
nest. It takes time and energy for the
bees to mend the damage. This
problem is minimised by the method
described here.
Halved coconut shells are cleaned
thoroughly - this prevents ant
infestation. A one centimetre
diameter hole is made at the top of
the shell to serve as an entrance and
exit point for the bees. Several
smaller holes are drilled around the
rim to accommodate supporting
wires.
The shells are fastened with wires in
tree trunks, branches or roof trusses.
Leaves of a local fern (Drynaria sp)
are used to cover the gaps between
the shell and the tree. Trigona
swarms easily transfer to the
improvised nests. Sometimes the
shells are primed with propolis to
deter ants.
The bees keep their brood near the
base of the nest and utilise the upper
portion of the shell as food
chambers. During the honey and
pollen season the coconut shells are
removed and replaced with larger
ones, and more leaves are piled
along the sides.
The colonies expand their brood into
the areas covered with leaves. As
the season progresses more shells
are added on the top of the shells,
and are placed in front of the
several nest entrances. The bees
extend their stores into these new
chambers.
During the swarming season
(February-March) strong colonies are
divided. Brood chambers containing
queen cells are removed along with
some adult bees and placed
1-2 metres away from the original
colony. These so-called 'starter'
colonies are then allowed to rear
their own queen. Drifting of worker
bees does occur, but the colonies
recover. Two starter colonies can be
made from a ten-shell colony.
This method can be used also to
harvest honey and pollen from
colonies established in walls and
elsewhere. The top-most shell is
lifted at harvest time, leaving the
brood intact. The technique allows
for a sufficient honey and pollen
harvest with minimal disturbance to
the colony. This helps to conserve
these bees that are vital for
pollination of wild plants and crops.
Colonies can be reared without
transferring or relocating existing
nests from the wild.
continued overleaf...
Coconut shells are used as nesting chambers for mass
rearing of stingless bees, species of Trigona. Shells are
attached with wires to roof trusses or tree branches.
The use of a hanging platform is a new innovation.
Bees for Development Journal 67 SIMPLE WAYS TO MANAGE STINGLESS BEES
New coconut she//s ore added to growing colonies. Fern
leaves are used to cover gaps behveen the she//s and the
tree.
A strong Trigona colony may need as many as fen shells.
Swarms take up residence on traps like this one. More Testing for honey. A piece of coconut leaf midrib is used
shells are added as the colony grows. This colony is four to probe the store chamber.
months old. ^^
The honey shell is lifted to check the amount of honey
inside. Honey shells are harvested only when full.
Brood exposed during harvest remains relatively intact.
The bees immediately clean the nest as soon as the
removed chamber is replaced. Dead brood is thrown out
of the nest and any holes plugged with propolis.
SIMPLE WAYS TO MANAGE STINGLESS BEES Bees for Development Journal 67
Marketable harvest
Strong colonies are divided by transferring some of the
brood and adult workers to another area, at least a metre
the parent colony. Starter colonies are allowed to
their own queen. Brood chambers with queen cells
are usually selected to be used as starters. This colony
division is done during the swarming season.
Honey/ A honey chamber filled to the brim with sealed
honey pots.
An established starter colony with an extra coconut shell The honey is pressed, strained and bottled for sale or
added for expansion. storage.
Trigona sp can be kept in apiaries alongside the Asian
hive bee Apis cerana.
7~he propolis coating of the Pollenl Pot filled with
shells is used as an compacted pollen. Trigona
antiseptic or sold to local pollen and honey have a
processors. sweet and sour taste.
Photographs Alejandro C Fajardo