BIBLIOGRAPHY CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B....
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013. Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and
Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese) in Benguet. Benguet State University,
La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Lita Molitas-Colting, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet from June 2012 to
February 2013 to collect wild nests and domesticate them in artificial hives. The processes
involved in sighting, collecting, splitting and transferring of the wild nests into hives and
the practices involved in managing the hived bees until harvesting were documented.
Wild nests were found in the forest and in man-made structures. Wild nests can be
collected, splitted and put in artificial hives such as plastic pails of any color or wooden
hives provided that the arrangement of the brood combs in the original hive is followed in
the new hive. Domesticated wild nests could stay in their new site for as long as 20 years
provided these are put in protected and/or partially shaded areas. About ¼ kg of honey
could be harvested in a colony.
Further study on the management of stingless bees may be conducted. In addition,
a study on the abundance and distribution of stingless bees in Cordillera is worth
considering.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Locating Wild Nest Sites of Stingless Bees
Procedure. Nests of stingless bees in the wild can be located by asking wild honey
hunters in the locality. They are more knowledgeable as the procedure in sighting the nest
sites of wild honeybees that produce more honey than stingless bees such as Apis cerana
and Apis dorsata, is more or less the same. Another method is to ask those who sell wild
honey in the locality as they are familiar of wild honey hunters who bring to them honey
products to sell.
In sighting the nests of stingless bees, one has to view the horizon against the sun
early in the morning when the sun is rising. At this time, the bees start to forage and they
can be seen against the backdrop during sunny days. Sighting is never done during cloudy
days or when it is raining.
It is difficult to site the wild nest of stingless bees because they are small unlike the
other wild honeybees, and they also seem to fly faster than the later.
The nest sites. There were two nests that were collected, both were located far from
houses. One nest was located inside a dried and hollow fallen trunk (horizontal) of a giant
fern on a branch of a citrus tree. The fern trunk has a diameter of 6 to 7 inches and a length
of 1.5-2.0 feet. It is about 4 to 5 feet above the ground. The fern trunk is rough. It is
partially shaded. It is situated at Luta-an, Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet.
The other nest was established on the bark of a trunk called “tikem” tree that is
about 5 m high above the ground and partially shaded. The trunk is rough just like the fern
trunk. The distance of this nest site to the one above is about 1 km and is situated at
Buwalan, Poblacion,Benguet.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
The result implies that stingless bees build their nests in rough surface materials
and in partially shaded areas. It also indicates that one nest is established in only one tree
as there was no more than one nest on the trees that were surveyed. Moreover, it seems
that stingless bees in Kibungan are few or less abundant compared to other places such as
Atok where wild honey harvesters claim to find nests of stingless bees closer to each other.
The nests. The nest is located inside the hallow trunk of a fallen giant fern trunk.
The entrance hole was located on the side facing the west. When the trunk was opened the
nest measures about 5 inches, a little bit smaller than the diameter of the fern trunk. The
nest has 14 layers of brood combs. The general color is yellowish. It is estimated to be
one year old by one of the wild honey harvesters.
The nest on the “tikem” tree is hanging outside the tree trunk. The entrance hole is
facing east. The nest is about 12 inches in diameter which is more or less twice bigger than
the one on the fern trunk. It has 16 layers of brood combs which is also bigger than the
above. With this size, the nest could have been established on the said tree for more than
one year or possibly more. The general color is also yellowish possibly indicating that they
foraged on more or less the same plants.
Collecting Wild Nests of Stingless Bees
Bee Attire. The collector of the wild nests of stingless bees used white bee veil.
There was however a difficulty in sighting the bees at the color “blurs” the eyesight. A
black bee veil similar to what is used by A. mellifera beekeepers but white was the only
available mesh cloth during the study in the locality. The bee veil had with small holes
(less than 1 mm) to prevent the bees to pass through and “attack” the hairs, ears, nose, and
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
mouth of the collector. The body of the adult stingless bee measures 2mm in diameter and
4.5mm long.
The collector also used a green shirt with long sleeve. The advantage of wearing
long sleeve shirt is to minimize the irritating swarm of bees when they are disturbed. As
to the color, white must have been better as practiced by Apis mellifera beekeepers.
Nevertheless, the collector was able to collect the wild nest without difficulty in dealing
with the swarm of bees indicating that the color of the attire is appropriate.
The collector also used short pant and the lower limbs were not “attacked” by the
bees, indicating that such kind of attire can be used when collecting wild nests of stingless
bees.
Reaction of bees on disturbed nest. The adults of the stingless bees are readily
attracted to the black hair once a part of their nest is disturbed or an intruder gets very near
the nest. Although they do not sting, they get in between the hair and start to “bite” and
“pull” the hair that cause irritation. The bees likewise like to enter into the eyes, nose and
airs and cause irritation. The disturbed bees continue to increase in number as time goes on
and the swarm thickly in the head region of the collector. The bees seem to “tell” or recruit
the other members of the nest that there is “danger” by making faint and unique sound that
can still be overheard by the human ear.
Procedure. In collecting the nest on the fallen fern trunk, the collector pulled the
fern trunk and put the whole of it inside a sack (rice sack, 52cm x 95cm). This was done
six to seven o’clock in the morning with the belief that not all of the foraging bees have
left the nest. The photographs are shown in Figures 1 to 3.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
For the other nest high above the ground, the collector climbed up the tree with
bolo and sack. The bolo was used to detach and scrape the nest (Figure 4). The nest was
collected seven to eight o’clock in the morning during a sunny day. It was observed that
despite this early, many of the adults that possibly left earlier to forage were left. They
swarmed over the original nest. Some might have died as a result of the removal of the nest
but probably they rebuilt their nest which was not followed through. According to wild
honey hunters who collected some wild nests of stingless bees, those left reestablished their
nest.
Sacks were used to transport the bees to prevent the adult bees from skipping and
getting lost while in transit as well as to secure the brood combs. Other wild honey hunters
use polyethylene bags as it is easier also to handle or carry especially when the nests are
collected in a forested area and the terrain is difficult to pass through such as in precipice.
Transferring Nests of Stingless Bees
in artificial hives
The Artificial hives. A wooden beehive was made by the researcher following the
design and measurement of the UPLB Standard Beehive for Stingless Bees, however, the
Nara and pine tree wood used was thicker by ½ inch to fit with the climatic condition which
is cooler than in the lowlands. The finished box and carpentry materials that were used are
shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 1. Collecting a nest of wild stingless bee from a fallen giant
fern and the bee attire used
Nest (fern trunk)
Figure 2. The giant fern trunk with nest of stingless bees
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 3. Collected wild nest was put in a sack for transport
Figure 4. Collecting nest from tree trunk of a “tikem” tree
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
a
Figure 5. Stingless beehive boxes
Figure 6. Materials used in making the box
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Other artificial hives. Two kinds of artificial hives were noted in the locality. One
consists of a plastic pail (5 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall) with pink in color. This
was over hanged inside a balcony with an opening of about 1 inch facing the east. On the
other hand, an empty cooking oil can (8 inches x 12 inches) with white and green color
was used. The opening faced east. The colony when it was observed was almost about to
be harvested, as the original entrance was already covered with cerumen. This hive is
covered by a corrugated GI sheet to prevent the nest from rainfall as it was located in
between the branches of a citrus tree. These artificial hives were established by researcher’s
father as shown in Figure 7a-b. The later colony has been in such location for almost 12
years and has become a part of the family. Through the years, there were no instances
wherein the family members or visitors have been frightened by their swarms as they
became so gentle unlike the wild populations.
The observation show that wild stingless bees can be domesticated in simple hives
such as plastic pail and tin cans provided that the colonies are not destroyed and are
protected from rainfall and other elements such as strong winds, strong sunlight and
probably natural enemies such as birds, ants or lizards.
Time of transferring. The researcher transfers the nests of the stingless bee just
after collection or any time. Based on the practices of the father’s researcher that nest of
stingless bees can be transfer in any time.
Procedure in preparing the standard stingless beehive. The procedure that was
done in transferring the collected wild nests are as follows: (a) use proper attire, (b) prepare
all the materials needed, (c) cover all the entrance or exit using a masking or packing tape
shown in Figure 8.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Preparing the wild nest from the fern trunk to be transferred. In removing the wild
nest from its original site the following were done on the fern tree trunk: (a) the fern tree
trunk was carefully opened to exposed the brood combs (Figure 9), (b) slice horizontally
the bottom of brood combs that was attached to the fern, (c) lift up slowly and transfer
immediately to the new hive box (Figure 10).
a
b
Figure 7. Pail and Cans used as Stingless bee’s colony
Transferring the wild nest from the “tikem” tree trunk. The procedure is as follows:
(a) slice horizontally the bottom of the brood combs, (b) slowly lift and then immediately
transfer into a box (Figure 11).
The position of the brood in its original position before it was collected must be
followed or in the same position when transferred into the box. Thus, the brood combs
must be placed at the center and surround with pollen and honey pockets on the corner
sides. Likewise, the brood combs shall be covered with extra propolis (top of the brood)
for faster recovery (Figure 12). The entrance cover shall be removed after 3 days (Figure
13) for the bees to settle down and will never abscond.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 8. Covering the entrance with packing tape
Figure 9. Opened nest (fern trunk)
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Brood
comb
Figure 10. Transferring the brood from the fern trunk
Brood comb
Figure 11. Transferring the brood (nest collected from tree trunk)
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Propolis
Brood comb
Pots of honey
Pollen
Figure 12. Brood placed in center portion covered with propolis and supported
with pollen and honey
Figure 13. Removing the entrance cover after 3 days
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Managing Stingless beehives for Honey Production
After the nests were transferred into the box, the colonies were set up near chayote
plantation on the same at four o’clock to five o’clock in the afternoon. The hives were set
up closed to the ground or it did not have a hive stand. The opening of one of the colonies
was set up facing south while the other one was set up facing north. These were left in the
area for 5-6 months for honey production at the same time for pollination. Visits were
made every Saturday thereafter to make sure that the introduced colonies will not abscond
or are in their proper position.
The colonies were set up near the chayote plantation, at a distance of 5-6 meters
apart (Figures 14 and 15).
Colony
Figure 14. The colony were set up above a chayote plantation
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Colony
Figure 15. The colony was set up near a chayote plantation (roof top)
Honey Harvesting
How to determine a matured colony. A matured colony of stingless bee is when a
cerumen was build and developed around into their entrance and exit hanging like a big
ear of a rat shown in Figure 16.
Time of harvesting. The researcher harvests the stingless bee honey last week of
February 2013, ten o’clock in the morning to twelve o’clock in the afternoon.
Preparing materials to be used. Procedure were as follows: (a) the researcher
prepared 2 or more new set of box, small basin (stainless), (b) wears hat, bee veil and long
sleeve shirt (Figure 17).
Procedures in harvesting. (a) choose the matured and strong colony to be harvested,
(b) cover all the main entrance, (c) gently open the cover of the colony, (d) gently slices
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
the mid-part connection of the colony (Figure 18), (e) detached the secondary from primary
box because the researcher likes to gather honey at the primary box and look the pots of
honey (Figure 19), (f) transfers the detached secondary box to the provided bottom board
(Figure 20), (g) slices the pots of honey at the corner side of the primary box where the
honey is stored (Figure 21), (h) after harvesting, provide a new secondary box of the
harvested primary box and the secondary box detached from the source becomes the
primary box provided with a secondary box then 2 colonies are formed (Figure 22), (i)
switches the main box with the new box (Figure 23a-b), (j) cover of the entrance of main
box shall be removed after 3 days.
The weight of harvested honey including propolis per colony is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Mean weight of harvested honey and propolis from four colonies
__________________________________________________________________
COLONY WEIGHT OF HONEY AND PROPOLIS
________________________________________________________________________
1
1.0 kg
2
1.1 kg
3
1.1 kg
4
1.2 kg
________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL 4.4 kg
________________________________________________________________________
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 16. Developed cerumen around the entrance and exit
Figure 17. The bee attire used, a modified bee veil (fine mesh cloth)
and long sleeve shirt
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 18. Slicing the mid-part connection of colony
Brood
Honey pots
(corner side)
Figure 19. Honey pots in corner side (primary box)
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 20. Transferring the detached secondary box to the
provided bottom board
Figure 21. Slicing the honey pots
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
New secondary
box
New secondary
box
Detached secondary Primary box
box from main box (main box)
become the primary
Figure 22. The colony after harvested and splitted
Main box
New box
(a)
(b)
Figure 23.The switches of box: a) Before; b) After
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Splitting Stingless Bee Colony
Brood cutting. Cutting a brood of stingless bee brood should be done by cutting in
horizontal position the brood combs because the stingless bee brood combs are laid
horizontally unlike the other honeybees that have vertical combs such as A. cerana. The
procedure is as follows: (a) prepare a new hive box (b) wear proper bee attire same as in
collecting wild colonies or in harvesting activity, (c) cut the brood combs at the center and
get 3-7 layers using cutter blade or a sharp knife (Figure 24), (d) transfer the sliced brood
combs at the center of the new box or hive, (e) cut a portion of pollen and honey pockets
at the corner of the brood comb in the original box and transfer in the same location in the
new box, (f) cut some propolis if there are in the original box and transfer also to the new
box (Figure 25), (g) put a secondary box on top of the new hive, (h) cover all the entrances
of the original hive with molded paper or any available materials so that they will not
abscond (Figure 26) while the new hive is left opened. There are now two hives or colonies
of stingless bees.
After the colony was splitted, move the original hive at least 1 foot away from the
original site and instead put the new hive in such location as in Figure 23. After 3 days,
remove the cover entrance of the original hive.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 24. Cutting the brood combs using the cutter blade
Propolis
Pollen
Brood
Pots of
Honey
Figure 25. Newly transferred brood combs with pollen and honey in the new hive
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 26. All entrances were covered with folded paper
Other observations
Indigenous practices. There are some indigenous practices of wild honey hunters
of stingless bees in Kibungan. They collect nest of wild stingless bees from the forests and
put them into recycled plastic pails or any empty cans that can contain the colony.
These wild honey harvesters include Mr. Dension Cayad-an who has a colony of
stingless bees using a plastic pail. He has two big pails (round, yellow and blue) of stingless
bee colonies that are hanged outside the entrance of the house with the hive entrance facing
the north. According to him, one of the pails (about 1.5 ft diameter and 3 ft high) took
almost 7 years before it was fully filled with bees (Figure 27a-b).
Another wild honey hunter is Mr. Martin G. Ancheta. He has also two colonies of
stingless bees using also recycled plastic pails (round and square, yellow and white). The
nest was just transferred into a pail last week of December, 2012 (Figure 28a-b).
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
a
b
Figure 27. Mr. Dension Cayad-an’s stingless bee colonies
a
b
Figure 28. Mr. Martin Ancheta’s stingless bee colonies
Other nests of stingless bees. There are stingless bees that built their nests inside a
house particularly in the ceiling protected with GI sheet at a height of 10 ft from the ground.
There are two colonies that were observed in this house (Figure 28a-b).
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
a
b
Figure 29. Stingless bee colonies inside the ceiling
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
The study was conducted at Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet from June 2012 to
February 2013 to observed, apply and document the management practices of stingless
bees.
The following activities were conducted: collecting wild nests, transporting
wild nests, preparing hives for stingless bees, transferring wild nests to hives, managing
the stingless beehives for honey production, and splitting stingless bee colonies. There
were four colonies collected which then were splitted and produce 4.4kg of propolis and
honey.
Conclusion
Locating stingless bees in the wild is difficult. It requires experience in sighting
the flying foraging bees. Stingless bees build their nests in the wild and in man-made
structures such as pails, wooden hives, or in-between ceilings of houses as long as they are
partially shaded or protected. Collecting wild nests, harvesting or splitting colonies need
appropriate attire as the bees swarm to the ears, nose, mouth and hairs and cause irritation.
Transferring wild nests of stingless bees in artificial hives is possible. The nest
maybe transferred as is or it may be splitted into two provided that the same position of the
brood combs in the original hive is followed in the new hive.
Splitted colonies survive and multiply if these are located in chayote plantation or
other areas where there are food sources for the bees. At the chayote plantation, a colony
can produce about ¼ kg of honey.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Recommendation
An intensive study on the abundance and distribution of stingless bees in the
Cordillera is recommended. Follow up studies on the domestication of stingless bees is
also worthwhile to consider.
To help conserve the wild colonies of stingless bees, collecting and domesticating
them is recommended.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
AMANO, K. 2004. Attempts to introduce stingless for greenhouse pollination. In:
CAMAYA, E.N. and CERVANCIA, C.R. (ed.). 7th Asian Apicultural
Association Conference. February 23-27. University of the Philippines Los
Baños. Pp. 23-31.
BRADBEAR, N. 2009. Bees and their role in forest livelihoods. Retrieved September 18,
2012 from http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i0842e00.htm
CHINH, T.X. 2004. Research on stingless bees in Vietnam. In: CAMAYA, E.N. and
CERVANCIA, C.R. (ed.). 7th Asian Apicultural Association Conference.
February 23-27. University of the Philippines Los Baños. Pp. 159-164.
FAJARDO JR, A.C., C.R. CERVANCIA, and A.K. RAYMONDO. 2004. Foraging
behavior of floral visitors of banana. In: CAMAYA, E.N. and CERVANCIA,
C.R. (ed.). 7th Asian Apicultural Association Conference. February 23-27.
University of the Philippines Los Baños. Pp. 57-61.
FONSECA, V. L., M. C. LAURINO, and H.W. VELTHUIS. 2001. Stingless Bees
Breeding As an Activity for Sustainable Development. Retrieved September 18,
2012 from http/www.webbee.org.br./meliponiculture/sustainable_development.
pdf.
KIMBUNGAN, J.E. 2011. Establishment of stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese) at the
BSU organic Arabica coffee plantation. BS Thesis. BSU, La Trinidad, Benguet.
P.1.
KONGPITAK, P., J. NAKARUMA, M. MATSUKA, and S. WONGSIRI. 2004.
Macadamia and their pollinators in Thailand. In: CAMAYA, E.N. and
CERVANCIA, C.R. (ed.). 7th Asian Apicultural Association Conference.
February 23-27. University of the Philippines Los Baños. Pp. 49-52.
LAURINO, M.C., V. I. FRONSECA, D. W. ROUBIK, A. DOLLIN, T. HEARD, I.B.
AGUILAR, G.C.VENTURIERE, C. EARDLEY and P.N. NETO. Global
Meliponiculture: challenges and opportunities. Retrieved September 19, 2012
from
http://www.cienciaanimal.ufpa.br/CA_selecao/M/2010/biblio/Prod/cons
ervac/cortopassi_laurino_et_al_2006.pdf.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
MATIENZO, A. and M. LAMORENA. 2004. Extraction and initial characterization of
propolis from stingless bees. In: CAMAYA, E.N. and CERVANCIA, C.R. (ed.).
7th Asian Apicultural Association Conference. February 23-27. University of the
Philippines Los Baños. Pp. 321-322.
SOMMEIJER, M.J. (N.D.). Beekeeping with stingless bees: a new type of hive.
Retrieved September 02, 2012 from http://web.science.uu.nl/sommeijer/hive/hive.
pdf.
ROUBIK, D.W. (1989) Ecology and natural history of tropical bees, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
YOUNGSTEADT, E. 2012. A new research center in Ghana adds to the global growth of
stingless-bee beekeeping for pollination and honey. Retrieved September 18,
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Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013. Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and
Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese) in Benguet. Benguet State University,
La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Lita Molitas-Colting, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet from June 2012 to
February 2013 to collect wild nests and domesticate them in artificial hives. The processes
involved in sighting, collecting, splitting and transferring of the wild nests into hives and
the practices involved in managing the hived bees until harvesting were documented.
Wild nests were found in the forest and in man-made structures. Wild nests can be
collected, splitted and put in artificial hives such as plastic pails of any color or wooden
hives provided that the arrangement of the brood combs in the original hive is followed in
the new hive. Domesticated wild nests could stay in their new site for as long as 20 years
provided these are put in protected and/or partially shaded areas. About ¼ kg of honey
could be harvested in a colony.
Further study on the management of stingless bees may be conducted. In addition,
a study on the abundance and distribution of stingless bees in Cordillera is worth
considering.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Locating Wild Nest Sites of Stingless Bees
Procedure. Nests of stingless bees in the wild can be located by asking wild honey
hunters in the locality. They are more knowledgeable as the procedure in sighting the nest
sites of wild honeybees that produce more honey than stingless bees such as Apis cerana
and Apis dorsata, is more or less the same. Another method is to ask those who sell wild
honey in the locality as they are familiar of wild honey hunters who bring to them honey
products to sell.
In sighting the nests of stingless bees, one has to view the horizon against the sun
early in the morning when the sun is rising. At this time, the bees start to forage and they
can be seen against the backdrop during sunny days. Sighting is never done during cloudy
days or when it is raining.
It is difficult to site the wild nest of stingless bees because they are small unlike the
other wild honeybees, and they also seem to fly faster than the later.
The nest sites. There were two nests that were collected, both were located far from
houses. One nest was located inside a dried and hollow fallen trunk (horizontal) of a giant
fern on a branch of a citrus tree. The fern trunk has a diameter of 6 to 7 inches and a length
of 1.5-2.0 feet. It is about 4 to 5 feet above the ground. The fern trunk is rough. It is
partially shaded. It is situated at Luta-an, Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet.
The other nest was established on the bark of a trunk called “tikem” tree that is
about 5 m high above the ground and partially shaded. The trunk is rough just like the fern
trunk. The distance of this nest site to the one above is about 1 km and is situated at
Buwalan, Poblacion,Benguet.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
The result implies that stingless bees build their nests in rough surface materials
and in partially shaded areas. It also indicates that one nest is established in only one tree
as there was no more than one nest on the trees that were surveyed. Moreover, it seems
that stingless bees in Kibungan are few or less abundant compared to other places such as
Atok where wild honey harvesters claim to find nests of stingless bees closer to each other.
The nests. The nest is located inside the hallow trunk of a fallen giant fern trunk.
The entrance hole was located on the side facing the west. When the trunk was opened the
nest measures about 5 inches, a little bit smaller than the diameter of the fern trunk. The
nest has 14 layers of brood combs. The general color is yellowish. It is estimated to be
one year old by one of the wild honey harvesters.
The nest on the “tikem” tree is hanging outside the tree trunk. The entrance hole is
facing east. The nest is about 12 inches in diameter which is more or less twice bigger than
the one on the fern trunk. It has 16 layers of brood combs which is also bigger than the
above. With this size, the nest could have been established on the said tree for more than
one year or possibly more. The general color is also yellowish possibly indicating that they
foraged on more or less the same plants.
Collecting Wild Nests of Stingless Bees
Bee Attire. The collector of the wild nests of stingless bees used white bee veil.
There was however a difficulty in sighting the bees at the color “blurs” the eyesight. A
black bee veil similar to what is used by A. mellifera beekeepers but white was the only
available mesh cloth during the study in the locality. The bee veil had with small holes
(less than 1 mm) to prevent the bees to pass through and “attack” the hairs, ears, nose, and
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
mouth of the collector. The body of the adult stingless bee measures 2mm in diameter and
4.5mm long.
The collector also used a green shirt with long sleeve. The advantage of wearing
long sleeve shirt is to minimize the irritating swarm of bees when they are disturbed. As
to the color, white must have been better as practiced by Apis mellifera beekeepers.
Nevertheless, the collector was able to collect the wild nest without difficulty in dealing
with the swarm of bees indicating that the color of the attire is appropriate.
The collector also used short pant and the lower limbs were not “attacked” by the
bees, indicating that such kind of attire can be used when collecting wild nests of stingless
bees.
Reaction of bees on disturbed nest. The adults of the stingless bees are readily
attracted to the black hair once a part of their nest is disturbed or an intruder gets very near
the nest. Although they do not sting, they get in between the hair and start to “bite” and
“pull” the hair that cause irritation. The bees likewise like to enter into the eyes, nose and
airs and cause irritation. The disturbed bees continue to increase in number as time goes on
and the swarm thickly in the head region of the collector. The bees seem to “tell” or recruit
the other members of the nest that there is “danger” by making faint and unique sound that
can still be overheard by the human ear.
Procedure. In collecting the nest on the fallen fern trunk, the collector pulled the
fern trunk and put the whole of it inside a sack (rice sack, 52cm x 95cm). This was done
six to seven o’clock in the morning with the belief that not all of the foraging bees have
left the nest. The photographs are shown in Figures 1 to 3.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
For the other nest high above the ground, the collector climbed up the tree with
bolo and sack. The bolo was used to detach and scrape the nest (Figure 4). The nest was
collected seven to eight o’clock in the morning during a sunny day. It was observed that
despite this early, many of the adults that possibly left earlier to forage were left. They
swarmed over the original nest. Some might have died as a result of the removal of the nest
but probably they rebuilt their nest which was not followed through. According to wild
honey hunters who collected some wild nests of stingless bees, those left reestablished their
nest.
Sacks were used to transport the bees to prevent the adult bees from skipping and
getting lost while in transit as well as to secure the brood combs. Other wild honey hunters
use polyethylene bags as it is easier also to handle or carry especially when the nests are
collected in a forested area and the terrain is difficult to pass through such as in precipice.
Transferring Nests of Stingless Bees
in artificial hives
The Artificial hives. A wooden beehive was made by the researcher following the
design and measurement of the UPLB Standard Beehive for Stingless Bees, however, the
Nara and pine tree wood used was thicker by ½ inch to fit with the climatic condition which
is cooler than in the lowlands. The finished box and carpentry materials that were used are
shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 1. Collecting a nest of wild stingless bee from a fallen giant
fern and the bee attire used
Nest (fern trunk)
Figure 2. The giant fern trunk with nest of stingless bees
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 3. Collected wild nest was put in a sack for transport
Figure 4. Collecting nest from tree trunk of a “tikem” tree
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
a
Figure 5. Stingless beehive boxes
Figure 6. Materials used in making the box
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Other artificial hives. Two kinds of artificial hives were noted in the locality. One
consists of a plastic pail (5 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall) with pink in color. This
was over hanged inside a balcony with an opening of about 1 inch facing the east. On the
other hand, an empty cooking oil can (8 inches x 12 inches) with white and green color
was used. The opening faced east. The colony when it was observed was almost about to
be harvested, as the original entrance was already covered with cerumen. This hive is
covered by a corrugated GI sheet to prevent the nest from rainfall as it was located in
between the branches of a citrus tree. These artificial hives were established by researcher’s
father as shown in Figure 7a-b. The later colony has been in such location for almost 12
years and has become a part of the family. Through the years, there were no instances
wherein the family members or visitors have been frightened by their swarms as they
became so gentle unlike the wild populations.
The observation show that wild stingless bees can be domesticated in simple hives
such as plastic pail and tin cans provided that the colonies are not destroyed and are
protected from rainfall and other elements such as strong winds, strong sunlight and
probably natural enemies such as birds, ants or lizards.
Time of transferring. The researcher transfers the nests of the stingless bee just
after collection or any time. Based on the practices of the father’s researcher that nest of
stingless bees can be transfer in any time.
Procedure in preparing the standard stingless beehive. The procedure that was
done in transferring the collected wild nests are as follows: (a) use proper attire, (b) prepare
all the materials needed, (c) cover all the entrance or exit using a masking or packing tape
shown in Figure 8.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Preparing the wild nest from the fern trunk to be transferred. In removing the wild
nest from its original site the following were done on the fern tree trunk: (a) the fern tree
trunk was carefully opened to exposed the brood combs (Figure 9), (b) slice horizontally
the bottom of brood combs that was attached to the fern, (c) lift up slowly and transfer
immediately to the new hive box (Figure 10).
a
b
Figure 7. Pail and Cans used as Stingless bee’s colony
Transferring the wild nest from the “tikem” tree trunk. The procedure is as follows:
(a) slice horizontally the bottom of the brood combs, (b) slowly lift and then immediately
transfer into a box (Figure 11).
The position of the brood in its original position before it was collected must be
followed or in the same position when transferred into the box. Thus, the brood combs
must be placed at the center and surround with pollen and honey pockets on the corner
sides. Likewise, the brood combs shall be covered with extra propolis (top of the brood)
for faster recovery (Figure 12). The entrance cover shall be removed after 3 days (Figure
13) for the bees to settle down and will never abscond.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 8. Covering the entrance with packing tape
Figure 9. Opened nest (fern trunk)
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Brood
comb
Figure 10. Transferring the brood from the fern trunk
Brood comb
Figure 11. Transferring the brood (nest collected from tree trunk)
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Propolis
Brood comb
Pots of honey
Pollen
Figure 12. Brood placed in center portion covered with propolis and supported
with pollen and honey
Figure 13. Removing the entrance cover after 3 days
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Managing Stingless beehives for Honey Production
After the nests were transferred into the box, the colonies were set up near chayote
plantation on the same at four o’clock to five o’clock in the afternoon. The hives were set
up closed to the ground or it did not have a hive stand. The opening of one of the colonies
was set up facing south while the other one was set up facing north. These were left in the
area for 5-6 months for honey production at the same time for pollination. Visits were
made every Saturday thereafter to make sure that the introduced colonies will not abscond
or are in their proper position.
The colonies were set up near the chayote plantation, at a distance of 5-6 meters
apart (Figures 14 and 15).
Colony
Figure 14. The colony were set up above a chayote plantation
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Colony
Figure 15. The colony was set up near a chayote plantation (roof top)
Honey Harvesting
How to determine a matured colony. A matured colony of stingless bee is when a
cerumen was build and developed around into their entrance and exit hanging like a big
ear of a rat shown in Figure 16.
Time of harvesting. The researcher harvests the stingless bee honey last week of
February 2013, ten o’clock in the morning to twelve o’clock in the afternoon.
Preparing materials to be used. Procedure were as follows: (a) the researcher
prepared 2 or more new set of box, small basin (stainless), (b) wears hat, bee veil and long
sleeve shirt (Figure 17).
Procedures in harvesting. (a) choose the matured and strong colony to be harvested,
(b) cover all the main entrance, (c) gently open the cover of the colony, (d) gently slices
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
the mid-part connection of the colony (Figure 18), (e) detached the secondary from primary
box because the researcher likes to gather honey at the primary box and look the pots of
honey (Figure 19), (f) transfers the detached secondary box to the provided bottom board
(Figure 20), (g) slices the pots of honey at the corner side of the primary box where the
honey is stored (Figure 21), (h) after harvesting, provide a new secondary box of the
harvested primary box and the secondary box detached from the source becomes the
primary box provided with a secondary box then 2 colonies are formed (Figure 22), (i)
switches the main box with the new box (Figure 23a-b), (j) cover of the entrance of main
box shall be removed after 3 days.
The weight of harvested honey including propolis per colony is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Mean weight of harvested honey and propolis from four colonies
__________________________________________________________________
COLONY WEIGHT OF HONEY AND PROPOLIS
________________________________________________________________________
1
1.0 kg
2
1.1 kg
3
1.1 kg
4
1.2 kg
________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL 4.4 kg
________________________________________________________________________
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 16. Developed cerumen around the entrance and exit
Figure 17. The bee attire used, a modified bee veil (fine mesh cloth)
and long sleeve shirt
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 18. Slicing the mid-part connection of colony
Brood
Honey pots
(corner side)
Figure 19. Honey pots in corner side (primary box)
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 20. Transferring the detached secondary box to the
provided bottom board
Figure 21. Slicing the honey pots
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
New secondary
box
New secondary
box
Detached secondary Primary box
box from main box (main box)
become the primary
Figure 22. The colony after harvested and splitted
Main box
New box
(a)
(b)
Figure 23.The switches of box: a) Before; b) After
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Splitting Stingless Bee Colony
Brood cutting. Cutting a brood of stingless bee brood should be done by cutting in
horizontal position the brood combs because the stingless bee brood combs are laid
horizontally unlike the other honeybees that have vertical combs such as A. cerana. The
procedure is as follows: (a) prepare a new hive box (b) wear proper bee attire same as in
collecting wild colonies or in harvesting activity, (c) cut the brood combs at the center and
get 3-7 layers using cutter blade or a sharp knife (Figure 24), (d) transfer the sliced brood
combs at the center of the new box or hive, (e) cut a portion of pollen and honey pockets
at the corner of the brood comb in the original box and transfer in the same location in the
new box, (f) cut some propolis if there are in the original box and transfer also to the new
box (Figure 25), (g) put a secondary box on top of the new hive, (h) cover all the entrances
of the original hive with molded paper or any available materials so that they will not
abscond (Figure 26) while the new hive is left opened. There are now two hives or colonies
of stingless bees.
After the colony was splitted, move the original hive at least 1 foot away from the
original site and instead put the new hive in such location as in Figure 23. After 3 days,
remove the cover entrance of the original hive.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 24. Cutting the brood combs using the cutter blade
Propolis
Pollen
Brood
Pots of
Honey
Figure 25. Newly transferred brood combs with pollen and honey in the new hive
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Figure 26. All entrances were covered with folded paper
Other observations
Indigenous practices. There are some indigenous practices of wild honey hunters
of stingless bees in Kibungan. They collect nest of wild stingless bees from the forests and
put them into recycled plastic pails or any empty cans that can contain the colony.
These wild honey harvesters include Mr. Dension Cayad-an who has a colony of
stingless bees using a plastic pail. He has two big pails (round, yellow and blue) of stingless
bee colonies that are hanged outside the entrance of the house with the hive entrance facing
the north. According to him, one of the pails (about 1.5 ft diameter and 3 ft high) took
almost 7 years before it was fully filled with bees (Figure 27a-b).
Another wild honey hunter is Mr. Martin G. Ancheta. He has also two colonies of
stingless bees using also recycled plastic pails (round and square, yellow and white). The
nest was just transferred into a pail last week of December, 2012 (Figure 28a-b).
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
a
b
Figure 27. Mr. Dension Cayad-an’s stingless bee colonies
a
b
Figure 28. Mr. Martin Ancheta’s stingless bee colonies
Other nests of stingless bees. There are stingless bees that built their nests inside a
house particularly in the ceiling protected with GI sheet at a height of 10 ft from the ground.
There are two colonies that were observed in this house (Figure 28a-b).
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
a
b
Figure 29. Stingless bee colonies inside the ceiling
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
The study was conducted at Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet from June 2012 to
February 2013 to observed, apply and document the management practices of stingless
bees.
The following activities were conducted: collecting wild nests, transporting
wild nests, preparing hives for stingless bees, transferring wild nests to hives, managing
the stingless beehives for honey production, and splitting stingless bee colonies. There
were four colonies collected which then were splitted and produce 4.4kg of propolis and
honey.
Conclusion
Locating stingless bees in the wild is difficult. It requires experience in sighting
the flying foraging bees. Stingless bees build their nests in the wild and in man-made
structures such as pails, wooden hives, or in-between ceilings of houses as long as they are
partially shaded or protected. Collecting wild nests, harvesting or splitting colonies need
appropriate attire as the bees swarm to the ears, nose, mouth and hairs and cause irritation.
Transferring wild nests of stingless bees in artificial hives is possible. The nest
maybe transferred as is or it may be splitted into two provided that the same position of the
brood combs in the original hive is followed in the new hive.
Splitted colonies survive and multiply if these are located in chayote plantation or
other areas where there are food sources for the bees. At the chayote plantation, a colony
can produce about ¼ kg of honey.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
Recommendation
An intensive study on the abundance and distribution of stingless bees in the
Cordillera is recommended. Follow up studies on the domestication of stingless bees is
also worthwhile to consider.
To help conserve the wild colonies of stingless bees, collecting and domesticating
them is recommended.
Collecting and Splitting wild nest, and Management of Stingless bees (Trigona biroi Friese)
in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013
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in Benguet | CALASIAO, TAÑIEDA B. APRIL 2013