Stingless Bees

Stingless Bees (bees belonging to the tribe Meliponinii) are tiny, social hive-making bees that build nests using plant resin. They are among the most common bees you will encounter in Singapore’s forests and nature parks. They are known by their Malay name as "kelulut," in many parts of Southeast Asia. busy. There are around 10 species that occur in Singapore, the most common of which is Valdez’s stingless bee (Tetragonula valdezi). 

Identifying features

Check out some identifying features of the Stingless Bees!

Stingless bees are remarkable for their diminutive size, measuring only about three to four millimeters in length. Their bodies are a dark brown colour, and one of their most distinctive features is their teardrop-shaped hind legs.

Habitat and ecology

Stingless bees are important pollinators of tropical plants. Although they lack a functional stinger, they are able to defend their nests using sticky resin, biting and swarming intruders. They build their nests in tree cavities or manmade structures, often building an elaborate nest entrance with a sticky mixture of plant resin and wax that protects their colonies from intruders such as ants.

Did you know?

They are crucial pollinators for tiny urban flowers and are prized throughout Southeast Asia for producing "kelulut" honey, which has a very distinct, runny texture and a sweet-sour taste.

Learn more about the Stingless Bee!

Curious about the Stingless Bee? Here are some interesting articles you can read to learn more about them.

What to do if you encounter the Stingless Bee

Biodiversity of Singapore - Stingless Bee