MELIPONICULTURE IN THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF THE SÃO FRANCISCO RIVER INTEGRATION PROJECT – PISF

The raising of native bees is strategically important for the conservation of socio-biodiversity in the semi-arid regions of northeastern Brazil, where environmental degradation is intensifying due to large-scale projects such as the São Francisco River Integration Project (PISF). This study aimed to survey the species of stingless bees managed in the municipalities directly impacted by the PISF, encompassing the North and East Axes and the Agreste and Apodi branches in Rio Grande do Norte. The qualitative research was conducted between November 2022 and July 2025. To identify the meliponiculturists and characterize the species raised, the methodological technique known as "snowball sampling" was adopted, which allowed for the gradual mapping of the local beekeepers' network. Fourteen meliponiculturists were identified as being responsible for maintaining 294 colonies, distributed among eight species of stingless bees: Melipona mandacaia (mandaçaia), Melipona asilvai (manduri), Scaptotrigona depilis (canudo), Partamona seridoensis (cupira), Frieseomelitta doederleini (moça branca), Plebeia flavocincta (mosquito), Frieseomelitta varia (marmelada), and Melipona subnitida (jandaíra). The colonies were registered in the municipalities of Salgueiro and Verdejante (PE); Brejo Santo, Mauriti, and Ipaumirim (CE); and Santa Helena and Monteiro (PB). The results obtained demonstrate that meliponiculturists play a relevant role in the preservation of native bee species.