From the mountain to the bioplastic hive: reinventing the home of stingless bees

Abstract

Stingless bees, silent guardians of biodiversity, have inhabited the forests of southeastern Mexico for generations. Today, their care enters a new chapter: the modernization of Melipona hives aims to enhance their well-being, simplify management, and strengthen their role within ecosystems. This article explores how innovation -rooted in traditional knowledge and shaped through dialogue with local communities- is transforming the home of these native bees. From hive designs that honor their natural behavior to materials that support conservation, meliponiculture is being reimagined to protect a keystone species and bring its world closer to the people and communities that surround it.