Propolis use by stingless bees
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Like honey bees, stingless bees use plant resins to make propolis. Unlike honey bees, many stingless bee species collect vast amounts of resin for a variety of uses within the hive. The medicinal properties of stingless bee propolis and its therapeutic value to humans has been widely studied, but the importance of resin to stingless bee colony function is less understood. In this talk, I will discuss the various ways in which stingless bee species use resin in nest construction, for defense, and to shape their cuticular chemical profiles. I will review the existing literature on this topic and propose possible areas for future research.