Honey-Producing Stingless Bees of Brazil
- 演化之聲
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
When people think of honey bees, the species that usually come to mind are the Eastern honey bee (Apis cerana) and the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), both members of the genus Apis. In Central and South America, however, there exists a small insect that does not belong to the genus Apis yet is also capable of producing honey. This species is the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula.
The appearance of Tetragonisca angustula differs somewhat from the honey bees most people are familiar with. These bees possess slender legs and an elongated abdomen. Their most striking characteristic is the absence of a functional stinger, meaning they cannot sting humans. This does not mean they lack defensive abilities. Inside the nest, a group of specialized soldier bees is responsible for protecting the colony. When the nest is threatened, these soldiers defend it by persistently biting intruders. Despite their very small body size—only about 0.5 centimeters in length—they are still capable of producing substantial quantities of honey. As a result, people in many regions deliberately keep them in hive boxes in order to harvest their honey.
Tetragonisca angustula adapts remarkably well to human environments and frequently inhabits urban areas. They prefer to build nests inside natural or artificial cavities. Tree hollows, holes in buildings, and wooden hive boxes prepared by humans can all serve as suitable nesting sites. The entrance connecting the nest to the outside forms a small tubular structure made of wax, typically about 2 centimeters long and only about 0.6 centimeters in diameter. This narrow passage provides effective protection for the colony inside.
The honey produced by Tetragonisca angustula is valued for its distinctive flavor. In parts of Central and South America, it is known as "miel de angelita," meaning "angel honey." In local markets this honey is often extremely expensive, sometimes selling for dozens of times the price of honey produced by other bee species. The flavor is commonly described as slightly acidic and refreshing. Its texture is relatively thin, yet it carries a strong floral aroma accompanied by subtle fruity notes. In addition to being consumed as food, people in some regions believe this honey has medicinal properties. It has traditionally been used as a folk remedy for coughs, wound infections, and digestive problems. Scientific studies have also demonstrated that this honey indeed possesses antibacterial activity（J Appl Microbiol. 2003;95(5):913-20.）。
If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Central or South America, it might be worthwhile to try a jar of honey produced by Tetragonisca angustula.
Viewing an artificial hive:
Author: Shui-Ye You
Reference:
Miorin PL et al. (2003). Antibacterial activity of honey and propolis from Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca angustula against Staphylococcus aureus. J Appl Microbiol.
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