Nesting ecology and the cultural importance of stingless bees to speakers of Yoloxóchitl Mixtec, an endangered language in Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are major pollinators of many wild and cultivated plants, and both indigenous and non-indigenous populations use their products for diverse purposes including food, crafts, and medicine. However, many aspects of both stingless bee nesting ecology and traditional knowledge of these culturally significant bees by diverse human populations remain unknown or poorly documented. We report on the nest architecture, nesting substrate, host plants, and local abundance of stingless bees occurring in Yoloxóchitl, one of several indigenous villages that speak Yoloxóchitl Mixtec, an endangered language on the Pacific Coast of the state of Guerrero. We also document local Indigenous nomenclature, classification, and use of these bees as well as traditional management practices and knowledge of their behavior. Lastly, we offer a preliminary quantitative analysis of the relative cultural importance of each bee species and explore the relationship of traditional ecological knowledge to these species.