{"id":1097,"date":"2015-09-25T16:03:11","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T23:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1097"},"modified":"2022-05-16T09:46:40","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:46:40","slug":"plebeia-frontalis-friese-stingless-bee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1097","title":{"rendered":"Plebeia frontalis (Friese): Stingless Bee"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Plebeia frontalis<\/em><\/strong> (Friese): Stingless Bee<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Hymenoptera:\u00a0 Apidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest\u00a0Rating: \u00a0B<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

On September 12, 2013, Dr. Martin Hauser reported the tentative identification of Plebeia frontalis<\/em> from specimens submitted from a nest found in an Ash tree in Palo Alto.\u00a0 This is the first detection of this species in the United States.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Background<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 Plebeia frontalis<\/em> is a tropical stingless bee that typically nests in cavities in trees and logs.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> is a eusocial insect that forms colonies of about 5,000 insects5<\/sup>.\u00a0 Workers forage for pollen and nectar as a food source and to provision brood cells.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> is documented to be a pollinator of coffee1<\/sup>, passion flower1<\/sup>, and avocado2<\/sup> and may have been domesticated by Mayans for honey production3<\/sup>.\u00a0 Colonies can have multiple queens and, when resources are plentiful, they will split and form a new colony typically 200m away5<\/sup>.\u00a0 There are no documented pathways for the accidental human-assisted spread of these bees, but they could be transported in logs or other items with cavities suitable for a nest.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/strong><\/span>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> has a Neotropical distribution that includes Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/strong><\/span>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> is not known to be under official control in any nation or state.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 Plebeia frontalis<\/em> has been found nesting in a single tree in Palo Alto.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 Plebeia frontalis<\/em> has never been intercepted in a regulatory situation.<\/p>\n

The risk Plebeia frontalis<\/em> would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/strong>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> is a tropical bee and is not expected to be cold tolerant. However, during cold weather the bees can be expected to shut down their reproduction and successfully overwinter in California5<\/sup>.\u00a0 Its distribution in California would likely be limited to coastal and southern California.\u00a0 frontalis<\/em> receives a Medium(2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.
\n\u2013\u00a0Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/span>
\n\u2013 High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range<\/strong>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> nests in cavities and are generalist foragers on pollen and nectar of a wide range of flowering plants.\u00a0 It may incorporate plant pieces into its colonies and at high densities may cause significant defoliation5<\/sup>.\u00a0 When nectar is scarce the bees will pierce flowers and steal nectar, which can reduce the fitness of plants5<\/sup>.\u00a0 It receives a High(3)<\/strong><\/span> rating in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.
\n\u2013 High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential<\/strong>: P.<\/em>\u00a0frontalis<\/em> may have high reproductive potential under favorable conditions but does not have high dispersal potential.\u00a0 Colonies can have multiple queens and when resources are plentiful they will split.\u00a0 New colonies are typically 200m from existing colonies5<\/sup>.\u00a0 Plebeia frontalis<\/em> receives a Medium(2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.
\n\u2013\u00a0Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/span>
\n– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact<\/strong>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> is not expected to lower crop yield or lower crop value because there are already other insects present in California that may rob nectar and steal pieces of plants.\u00a0 The bees are not expected to trigger the loss of any markets, change normal cultural practices, or interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.\u00a0 There are parasites associated with stingless bees that are not known to be in California and can jump hosts when bees come into contact with either other or visit the same flowers5<\/sup>, possibly affecting honey bees or native pollinators.\u00a0 These parasites and pathogens will be difficult to detect without destroying nesting cavities because they are less likely to be on healthy bees that are out foraging than on sick bees or in the brood comb.\u00a0 frontalis<\/em> may also be injurious to honey bees and native pollinators by competing for the same limited food supplies.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> receives a Medium(2)<\/strong><\/span> rating in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

A. \u00a0The pest could lower crop yield.
\nB. \u00a0The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).
\nC. \u00a0The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).
\nD. \u00a0The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.
\nE. <\/span><\/strong>\u00a0The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/span>
\nF<\/strong>. \u00a0The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/span>
\nG. \u00a0The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/span>
\n– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact<\/strong>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 It is not expected to directly affected threatened or endangered species or disrupt critical habitats.\u00a0 frontalis<\/em> might trigger additional official or private treatment programs as some residents may consider their presence a nuisance.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> is not expected to significantly impact cultural practices, home\/urban gardening, or ornamental plantings.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> receives a Medium(2)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

A. \u00a0The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.
\nB. \u00a0The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
\nC. \u00a0The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
\nD. \u00a0<\/span><\/strong>The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span>
\nE. \u00a0The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.
\n\u2013\u00a0Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/span>
\n\u2013\u00a0High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Plebeia frontalis<\/em>:<\/strong> Medium (11)<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

\u2013\u00a0Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points
\n\u2013\u00a0Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/span>
\n\u2013\u00a0High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information<\/strong>: Plebeia frontalis<\/em> is known only from a single incursion into California, in Palo Alto. The bee receives a Not established(0)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/span>
\n\u2013\u00a0Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).
\n\u2013\u00a0Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.
\n\u2013\u00a0High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

Final Score:<\/h5>\n

7) The final score<\/strong> is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Medium (11) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

There have been no surveys from Plebeia frontalis<\/em> in California so it may have a much wider distribution than is presently realized.\u00a0 There may be some economic benefits of having this species in California as the bees may be efficient pollinators of avocado2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Furthermore, stingless bees were domesticated by the Mayans and dialogue in internet forums suggests that there may be a potential market for these bees in California as alternative pollinators.\u00a0 The colony of stingless bees in Palo Alto may or may not have exotic parasites or pathogens.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> and honey bees presumably coexist in Mexico and Central America and no new honey bee parasites or pathogens have been linked to this coexistence.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

The establishment of Plebeia frontalis<\/em> to California may have limited impact and a B-rating is therefore justified.\u00a0 Economic impacts are expected to be limited to potential impacts on the pollination services of honey bees and native pollinators.\u00a0 It is possible that P. frontalis<\/em> could expose these pollinators to new exotic parasites or pathogens to which they are not adapted.\u00a0 Furthermore, P. frontalis<\/em> may compete with honey bees and native pollinators for limited food supplies.\u00a0 P. frontalis<\/em> may be a nuisance to some residents of California.\u00a0 This could trigger the limited environmental impact of increased pesticide use in urban areas.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1 <\/sup>\u00a0Kennedy, C.M., E. Lonsdorf, M.C. Neel, N.M. Williams, T.H. Ricketts, R. Wilmfree, R. Bommarco, C. Brittain, A.L. Burley, D. Cariveau, L.G. Carvalhelro, N.P. Chacoff, S.A. Cunningham, B.N. Danforth, J. Dudenhoffer, E. Elle, H.R. Gaines, L.A. Garibaldi, C. Gratton, A. Holzschuh, R. Isaacs, S.K. Javorek, S. Jha, A.M. Klein, K. Krewenka, Y. Mandellk, M.M. Mayfield, L. Morandin, L.A. Neame, M. Otieno, M. Park, S.G. Potts, M. Rundolof, A. Saez, I. Steffan-Dewenter, H. Tald, B.F. Vlana, C. Westphal, J.K. Wilson, S.S. Greenleaf, and C. Kremen.\u00a0 2013.\u00a0 A global quantative synthesis of local and landscape effects on wild bee pollinators in agroecosystems.\u00a0 Ecology Letters. http:\/\/labs.russell.wisc.edu\/gratton\/files\/2013\/03\/Ecology-Letters.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

2<\/sup>Smith, R.H. and G. Ish-Am. 2006.\u00a0 Stingless Bees Can Serve as Efficient Avocado Pollinators. http:\/\/www.avocadosource.com\/papers\/Research_Articles\/GazitShmuel2006_POSTER.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> Cairns, C.E., R. Villanueva-Guiterriez, S. Kopter, and D.B. Bray.\u00a0 2005.\u00a0 Bee Populations, Forest Disturbance, and Africanization in Mexico.\u00a0 Biotropica 37(4):686-692.\u00a0http:\/\/www2.fiu.edu\/~kopturs\/pubs\/CairnsetalBiotropica05.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

4<\/sup>J. M. F. Camargo & S. R. M. Pedro, 2013. Meliponini Lepeletier, 1836. In Moure, J. S., Urban, D. & Melo, G. A. R. (Orgs). Catalogue of Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in the Neotropical Region – online version.<\/strong> Available at http:\/\/www.moure.cria.org.br\/catalogue. Accessed Sep\/16\/2013 http:\/\/moure.cria.org.br\/catalogue?id=34972<\/a><\/p>\n

5<\/sup><\/strong>Allan H. Smith-Pardo, Ph.D.
\n<\/strong>Entomologist- Area Identifier
\nNational Apoidea Specialist
\nUSDA \u2013 APHIS \u2013 PPQ
\n389 Oyster Point Blvd. Suite 2
\nSouth San Francisco, CA. 94080<\/p>\n

Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0Pest Rating: B<\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Plebeia frontalis (Friese): Stingless Bee Hymenoptera:\u00a0 Apidae Pest\u00a0Rating: \u00a0B PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: On September 12, 2013, Dr. Martin Hauser reported the tentative identification of Plebeia frontalis from specimens submitted from a nest found in an Ash tree in Palo Alto.\u00a0 This is the first detection of this species in … Continue reading Plebeia frontalis (Friese): Stingless Bee<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[136,5],"tags":[181,182,180],"class_list":["post-1097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hymenoptera","category-entomology","tag-hymenoptera-apidae","tag-plebeia-frontalis","tag-stingless-bee"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-hH","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":553,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=553","url_meta":{"origin":1097,"position":0},"title":"Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius): A Scolytid Weevil","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"March 16, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius): A Scolytid Weevil Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae Pest\u00a0Rating: B PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: On May 21, 2014 Dr. Andrew Cline identified a beetle collected in Escondido, San Diego County, as Pagiocerus frontalis (PDR SJ0P06003026). 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Posted by ka","rel":"","context":"In "D-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"D-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=673"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9219,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=9219","url_meta":{"origin":1097,"position":4},"title":"Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead): Samurai wasp","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"November 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead): Samurai waspPest Rating: D download pest rating *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov. 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