🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

African Stingless Bee

Meliponula bocandei

About African Stingless Bee

A small dark stingless bee that nests in tree hollows and produces a prized thin honey. Colonies can number several thousand workers.

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Did You Know?

Their honey is traditionally valued in West African medicine and can sell for ten times the price of regular honey.

How to Identify African Stingless Bee

African Stingless Bee (Meliponula bocandei) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Apidae. Adults typically measure 5-8 mm.

African Stingless Bee Habitat

African Stingless Bee is found in forests habitats, particularly across West Africa, Central Africa. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

African Stingless Bee Diet and Feeding

African Stingless Bee feeds primarily on nectar from flowers. In doing so, it acts as an important pollinator, transferring pollen between plants and contributing to plant reproduction and biodiversity.

Where Is African Stingless Bee Found?

African Stingless Bee can be found in West Africa, Central Africa, where it inhabits forests environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where African Stingless Bee can be found

Is African Stingless Bee Dangerous?

African Stingless Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

African Stingless Bee Role in Nature

African Stingless Bee plays an important role as a pollinator. By visiting flowers to feed on nectar or pollen, it transfers pollen between plants, aiding in reproduction and helping to maintain plant diversity. Pollinators are essential for the production of many fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers.

Seasonal Activity

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Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About African Stingless Bee

What does African Stingless Bee look like?

The African Stingless Bee typically measures 5-8 mm.

Where is African Stingless Bee found?

The African Stingless Bee is found in West Africa, Central Africa and typically inhabits forests environments.

What does African Stingless Bee eat?

The African Stingless Bee feeds primarily on nectar from flowers.

Is African Stingless Bee dangerous to humans?

The African Stingless Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

What is an interesting fact about African Stingless Bee?

Their honey is traditionally valued in West African medicine and can sell for ten times the price of regular honey.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). African Stingless Bee (Meliponula bocandei). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/african-stingless-bee

MLA:
"African Stingless Bee." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/african-stingless-bee.