The Potential Of Stingless Bees As An Emerging Livestock

Abstract

Stingless bees are becoming important alternative pollinators to the honeybee, previously considered a universal pollinator, due to their abundance and adaptability, besides behavioural traits, which further enhance their suitability. Honeybees have emerged over the years, with great economic returns. The challenge, however, is the defense mechanism, the sting. This has created negative reactions to the art of bee-keeping. Stingless bees do not sting humans or animals, making them easily acceptable to the bee farmer. They can be managed easily on pollen substitute and honey. In Africa, stingless bees have been kept for medicine to alleviate various ailments and discomforts such as constipation. The traditional way of excavating them pre-disposes the ground to degradation agents, hence an environmental threat. It is a well demonstrated fact that stingless bee domestication and conservation would significantly impact on food security, besides increased household income.