Stingless bees and microbial interactions

Abstract

Stingless bees (Meliponini) are a monophyletic group of eusocial insects inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions. These insects represent the most abundant and diversified group of corbiculate bees. Meliponini mostly rely on fermentation by symbiont microbes to preserve honey and transform pollen in stored food. Bee nests harbor diverse microbiota that includes bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi, and viruses. These microorganisms may interact with the bees through symbiotic relationships, or they may act as food for the insects, or produce biomolecules that aid in the biotransformation of bee products, such as honey and bee bread. Certain microbial species can also produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit opportunistic bee pathogens.