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Australian Native Stingless Bees
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Native Bees of Australia
Australia has approximately 2000 species of native bees. Most of these bees are solitary, constructing nests and foraging on their own. Every female is fertile and there is no hierarchy within the solitary bee species.
However, from these 2000, eleven can be classified as social bees. Social bees exist in a colony, working together with each bee performing various duties necessary for the survival of the colony. They have a queen, thousands of sterile female workers, and a number of male drones.
Native stingless bees are much smaller than the European honey bee, produce only 1kg of honey per year and venture a maximum distance of only 500m from their hive.
Native Stingless Bee Compared to The European Honey Bee
Native stingless bees are small when compared to their larger European cousins, averaging only 4mm in length. The European honey bee however averages roughly 13mm.
How Do Native Stingless Bees Defend Their Hive?
Attacking Swarms, Entry Guards and Propolis
Unlike most solitary bees and the European honey bee that still maintain their ability to sting, as the name suggests, stingless bees have evolved to become stingless. In nature, being venomous comes at a price, taking much needed biological energy to produce and maintain.
Instead, the stingless bee has evolved to defend itself via other means. When threatened by a predator stingless bees attack in defensive swarms, biting their victim with their strong mandibles, often targeting soft spots like the eyes and ears. Although not painful, the annoyance is often great enough to deter any predators, including most humans.
Stingless bees have also been known to defend themselves by mummifying smaller pests such as beetles, attempting to gain entrance into the hive. This mummification is achieved by rapidly depositing small amounts of resin, wax and mud onto the intruder's body, until they can no longer move.
As pictured, native stingless bees also position guards at the entrance of their hives. These guards refuse entry to any intruders. Propolis (a mix of resins and wax) is often deposited around the entrance of hives and acts as a natural deterrent to many insects.
To learn more about the uses and benefits of propolis follow the link below.
Native Stingless Bee Species Identification
Species Summary
Australia's native stingless bees all have similar traits and differentiating between the species can be difficult, especially without the use of a microscope.
Some of the most commonly cultivated Australian stingless bees include the Tetragonula Carbonaria, Tetragonula Hockingsi and the Austroplebeia Australis. A summary of these species, including where they can be found in Australia, can be found below.
Native Stingless Bee Species Distribution
Tetragonula Carbonaria
Tetragonula Carbonaria
Tetragonula Carbonaria
Sydney to Bundaburg, NSW and QLD coastal regions
Tetragonula Hockingsi
Tetragonula Carbonaria
Tetragonula Carbonaria
Coastal to northern QLD regions
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Austroplebia Australis
Tetragonula Carbonaria
Austroplebia Australis
Northern NSW, QLD, NT, Kimberly region WA
Native Bee Book and Honey Combo
Learn about Australian native stingless bees and try some of their unique tasting honey all at the same time.
This combination includes our 250g native stingless bee honey and The Australian Native Bee Book by Tim Heard.
Supports Conservation of Australian Native Bees
Cultivation of Australian Native Stingless Bees
Placing Australian Stingless Bees Into Hives
Indigenous Australians have harvested honey produced by many of these native social stingless bees for thousands of years, which they traditionally referred to as sugarbag.
In recent times several species of Australian native stingless bees have shown a high tolerance to be cultivated, placed in hives for various reasons such as honey collection, pollination, observation, preservation or simply personal enjoyment.
Their use as a pollinator for various crops has been proven in many studies, with native bees often outperforming the European honey bee (Apis Mellifera). Similarly, studies involving the health benefits derived from native stingless bee honey are showing promising results.
To learn more on using native stingless bees as pollinators head to our pollination page by following the link below
Provide Your Stingless Bees With Propolis
Promote Hive Eductions With Propolis
In the native stingless bee world an eduction refers to joining an empty hive to an established hive and waiting for the stingless bees to colonise a second home. When attempting to perform an eduction it is good practice to line the empty hive with propolis. This provides stingless bees with the building materials they require to begin constructing a new hive and encourages them into the empty space.
Providing Stingless Bees With Propolis as a Resource
Propolis is a native stingless bees main resource they require to construct their hive. Providing them with propolis in difficult times such as poor weather conditions gives them a helping hand and promotes hive growth. Simply smear some propolis paste at the entrance and watch as they begin to collect it.
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