Amazonian Stingless Bees Granted Legal Rights in Peru
Amazonian stingless bees have become the first insects globally to be granted legal rights after ordinances passed by the municipalities of Satipo and Nauta in Peru . The move aims to strengthen conservation of these ancient pollinators, which are facing mounting threats from deforestation, climate change, and forest fires across the Amazon basin. What Are Stingless Bees? Stingless bees belong to the Meliponini group and either lack stingers or possess stingers incapable of causing significant pain. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Of the roughly 500 known species, nearly half are found in the Amazon rainforest. Peru alone is home to more than 170 species, making it a global hotspot for stingless bee diversity. Ecological Importance in Tropical Forests Stingless bees have played a critical ecological role for nearly 80 million years. They are among the most effective pollinators of tropical flora. In the Amazon, they pollinate over 80% of plant speci...