Advances in Stingless beekeeping

Apiculture is a rearing of honey bee for honey production and as a pollinator in various crops. There is always fear of honey bee attack while rearing them even though they produce a delicious honey. But fortunately, there are 'stingless bees' which do not bite. They are smallest honey bees which produces honey. As they are highly social insect, living in permanent colonies by nesting in old walls, crevices, logs and such other concealed places. 'Meliponiculture' is the cultivation and management of the stingless bees. Comparatively little attention has been given to these bees in beekeeping development programmes. It is now realized that stingless bees are important resources for the production of a special type of honey and other products. Stingless bees are strong alternative pollinators for flowering crops. Other facts like their honey have a nutraceutical value hence meliponiculture is gaining attention in recent days.