Managing Tetragonula carbonaria for Macadamia Pollination: Square Boxes, Dividers, and Communal Stands

By Giorgio Venturieri

Summary The lecture is about how the bee companies NATIVO and Kin Kin Native Bees have come together to manage Tetragonula carbonaria bees (Apidae: Meliponini) for macadamia pollination in Southeast Queensland. The box model used is a square base measuring 220 x 220mm, with thick walls of 32mm and central divider plates. The boxes are housed in communal shelters scattered throughout the plantation. This method was largely inspired by the methodology used in the Amazon for the pollination of the fruits trees açaí  and rambutan with the stingless bee species Scaptotrigona aff postica.

Bio: Dr. Giorgio Venturieri has an extensive career as a bee researcher in the Amazon, Brazil, but his journey with bees commenced before he earned his university degree, assisting his brothers in their family honeybee enterprise. During his MSc studies, he delved into the intricacies of nesting behavior among social stingless bees. Then his doctoral research focused on the pollination ecology of trees in tropical rainforests. Throughout his professional journey, he has been committed to pioneering the agricultural utilization of stingless bees in South America, both enhancing honey production, and optimizing crop pollination. Relocating permanently with his family to Brisbane, he swiftly became one of the pioneering members of our ANBA community. Currently, Dr. Giorgio leads his bee enterprise, NATIVO, specializing in the sale of colonies and providing consultancy services for crop pollination across Southeast Queensland.

ATTEND in person or by Zoom

To attend in person, come to the Bulimba Community Centre, 1 Barramul St, Bulimba, Brisbane. Free for members, $5 for non-members.

ANBA members can attend by Zoom, a link to join will be sent by email about 3 days prior to the event.