Raising stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese) using Japanese-designed hives

The stingless bees, T. biroi, which are abundant in the Bicol Region [Philippines], are seen as potential pollinators of crops grown in Japanese glasshouses during winter. However, this species must learn to nest on Japanese-designed hive boxes before they can be exported to Japan. At present, Japan is importing T. carbonaria and Scaototrigona bipunctata from Australia and Paraguay respectively, to pollinate crops grown during winter. With more than 700,000 glasshouses in need of pollinators, T. biroi can be a potential species for pollination. Mostoles et al. (CSSAC) determined the adaptability of the stingless bees to the Japanese-designed hives. Acceptability of the hives was measured through the survival of the colony and absence of absconding after feral colonies of stingless bees were transferred into the hive boxes previously painted with Trigona honey. Adaptability was determined by examining the development of the stingless bees in the hive boxes. The Japanese-designed hive box was accepted by the stingless bees 1 week after their transfer as evidenced by colony survival and absence of absconding. Development of the stingless bees inside the hive box differed from the traditional method of using halved coconut shells. The brood chamber, with 7-15 horizontal layers, was placed on the center, surrounded by honey and pollen pots and covered with soft cerumen. Each colony had a distinct nest construction. Slow development was observed in the three-storey hive box where the brood failed to reach the summit of the brood chamber cut into half and transferred into a new inner box. Problems associated with bee culture in the Japanese-designed box were as follows: presence of dipterous predators and ants, overproduction of propolis and batumen layers, poor thermoregulation, difficulty in harvesting of pollen and honey, and damage during multiplication of splitting colony. The feral colonies of T. biroi in Bicol could adapt to different cultural management particularly when kept in Japanese-designed hives. Similar boxes could be used before the colonies are transferred but the hives must be painted with honey to prevent the bees from absconding. Hiving of the T. biroi colonies in wooden boxes is recommended along with the use of halved coconut shells. The project also recommended the further testing in glasshouse conditions during the winter season in Japan and the use of outer box equipped with a thermostat. If T. biroi surpasses the performance of T. carbonaria and Scaototrigona bipunctata in pollinating glasshouse crops during winter season in Japan, it can open doors for potential markets of packaged bees. This will encourage Bicolanos to export not only honey but pollinators as well.