Ocaña-Cabrera Joseline Sofía, Martin-Solano Sarah, Saegerman Claude
Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B43a, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y de la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Av. Gral. Rumiñahui S/N, Sangolquí 171103, Ecuador.
Insects. 2025 Mar 27;16(4):350. doi: 10.3390/insects16040350.
Stingless bees are crucial for pollination and support diverse ecological relationships, offering economic benefits and contributing to enhanced crop yields. Their tropical pollinator status makes them highly sensitive to environmental changes and disruptions, which could affect their survival, as well as to pathogens that threaten their health. The lack of comprehensive research and the scattering of reports make it difficult to identify pathogens and contaminants. This review aims to provide an overview of diseases in stingless bees, examine chemical contaminants in their products, and explore threatened sources. Using the PRISMA flowchart, a total of 30 articles from 2009 to 2024 concerning pathogens and contaminants in stingless bees were retrieved. A total of 15 pathogens and 26 pollutants affect life expectancy and survival rate of stingless bees (mainly the genera and ) were identified in five major areas of the Neotropics, including Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia, and Asia. Studies indicated that the bacterial genera , , and are affecting the survival of stingless bees, particularly their brood, and contributing to annual colony deaths. Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and microplastics have been detected in by-products of stingless bees, especially honey. Epidemiological research is crucial, including studies on pathogens associated with diseases, the effects of contaminants on bees, and the development of quality guidelines for stingless-bee products.
无刺蜂对授粉至关重要，并支持多种生态关系，带来经济效益并有助于提高作物产量。它们作为热带传粉者的地位使它们对环境变化和干扰高度敏感，这可能影响它们的生存，以及对威胁它们健康的病原体也很敏感。缺乏全面的研究以及报告的分散使得难以识别病原体和污染物。本综述旨在概述无刺蜂的疾病，检查其产品中的化学污染物，并探索受威胁的来源。使用PRISMA流程图，检索了2009年至2024年共30篇关于无刺蜂病原体和污染物的文章。在新热带地区的五个主要区域，包括巴西、墨西哥、哥斯达黎加、澳大利亚和亚洲，共识别出15种病原体和26种污染物影响无刺蜂（主要是 属和 属）的预期寿命和存活率。研究表明， 属、 属和 属细菌正在影响无刺蜂的生存，尤其是它们的幼虫，并导致蜂群每年死亡。在无刺蜂的副产品，尤其是蜂蜜中检测到了重金属、多环芳烃（PAHs）和微塑料。流行病学研究至关重要，包括对与疾病相关的病原体、污染物对蜜蜂的影响以及无刺蜂产品质量指南的制定等方面的研究。
