Distinct Intra‐ and Interspecific Foraging Patterns of Stingless Bee Species as a Conservation Tool

Abstract

ABSTRACT Stingless bees (Meliponini) are important pollinators in tropical ecosystems and very abundant in the Bolivian Yungas region; yet little is known about their foraging behavior and floral preferences. In this study, we combined melissopalynology, pollen analysis from honey, with plant‐pollinator interactions network to investigate foraging behavior and niche overlap of three rescued stingless bee species ( Tetragonisca angustula , Nannotrigona testaceicornis , and Paratrigona opaca ) in Bolivia's tropical Andes. Our results suggest different floral foraging patterns between bee species and hives. Tetragonisca angustula consistently preferred Melastomataceae across its hives, while N. testaceicornis and P. opaca showed more varied foraging patterns, with P. opaca favoring Oxalidaceae. Our results also indicate that these foraging differences are influenced by the types of flowers available, indicating that species interact with non‐native species if they are in the area. Therefore, our results emphasize the need to preserve a high diversity of floral resources for bees, as well as maintaining diversity within and among stingless bee species to support plant–pollinator interactions in tropical ecosystems. The low level of niche overlap might be a way to avoid competition, with distinct foraging patterns both inter‐ (between species) and intra‐specific (between hives). We encourage the use of native stingless bee species for honey production as a tool to promote conservation and reproduction of non‐native and native plant species of the region.