Coconut shell traps: easiest and economic way to attract stingless bees (Tetragonula iridipennis) Smith

The trap occupancy rate and colony development parameters of swarms of stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis in coconut shell traps was studied in the research farm of ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) Bengaluru, Yelahanka campus Karnataka, India. The trap occupancy rate by the stingless bees was 44.87% in a time period of 13.40 +/- 4.38 days. New cells were constructed by the bees in 12.10 +/- 2.13 days. The number of honey and pollen pots filled was 15.60 +/- 3.92 and 6.61 +/- 2.95, respectively. The brood cells were constructed 89.50 +/- 6.07 days after acceptance of the shell traps with an average of 67.70 +/- 20.83 brood cells per trap. The foragers preferred foraging for nectar, resin and pollen during the 15, 30 and 45 days, respectively, after acceptance of the coconut shells for nesting. Coconut shell traps are easiest and economic way of trapping the swarming population of stingless bees.