Stingless bees and microbial interactions

Author(s)

de Paula, Gabriela Toninato ^[1] ; Menezes, Cristiano ^[2] ; Pupo, Monica Tallarico ^[1] ; Rosa, Carlos Augusto ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Brazilian Agr Res Corp, Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Jaguariuna, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Microbiol, ICB, CP 486, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE; v. 44, p. 41-47, APR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/03650-0 - Analysis of steroids produced by symbiotic fungi isolated from the stingless bees' rearing cell
• Grantee: Gabriela Toninato de Paula
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/50954-0 - Novel therapeutic agents from the bacterial symbionts of Brazilian invertebrates
• Grantee: Mônica Tallarico Pupo
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants