Guide to Native Bees of Singapore

Singapore is home to a rich diversity of native bee species despite its compact urban landscape. These bees play a vital role in pollination and are integral to local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Overview of Native Bees in Singapore

Singapore hosts over 130 species of native bees, falling into six main bee families:

Apidae – Includes carpenter bees, honey bees, stingless bees
Halictidae – Commonly called sweat bees
Megachilidae – Leafcutter and resin bees
Colletidae – Masked bees
Andrenidae – Mining bees (rare in Southeast Asia)
Melittidae – Very rare in the region

Key Native Bee Species in Singapore

Stingless Bees (e.g., Tetragonula laeviceps)

Family: Apidae
Size: Tiny (around 4–5 mm)
Behavior: Social, live in colonies; harmless to humans
Nesting: In tree trunks, wall cavities
Importance: Excellent pollinators of fruits and herbs

Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana)

Family: Apidae
Behavior: Semi-domesticated, smaller than Apis mellifera
Nesting: Tree cavities, wall gaps
Notes: Often confused with the more aggressive Apis dorsata

Giant Honey Bee (Apis dorsata)

Family: Apidae
Size: Large (around 20 mm)
Nesting: Open nests on tall buildings, trees
Notes: Notoriously defensive; not domesticated

Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.)

Family: Apidae
Size: Large and robust (around 20–30 mm)
Color: Black, sometimes with blue sheen
Nesting: Burrow into wood and bamboo
Notes: Solitary, excellent for pollinating large flowers

Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.)

Family: Megachilidae
Behavior: Solitary; cut leaf pieces to build nests
Nesting: In wood, soil, hollow stems
Traits: Strong mandibles; efficient pollinators

Sweat Bees (Lasioglossum spp.)

Family: Halictidae
Size: Small (around 4–8 mm)
Color: Often metallic green or blue
Behavior: Solitary to social; attracted to sweat
Nesting: In soil or wood

Bee Habitats in Singapore

Urban parks and gardens (e.g., Singapore Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay)
Nature reserves (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment)
Coastal and mangrove areas
Rooftop gardens and green walls
Residential green spaces

Conservation and Threats

Threats to native bees include:

Habitat loss due to urban development
Pesticide and herbicide use
Competition from invasive species (Apis mellifera)
Climate change

Conservation actions include:

Promoting native flowering plants
Minimizing pesticide use
Educating the public about pollinators
Creating bee hotels and nesting sites

How to Help Native Bees in Singapore

Plant native flowers like Melastoma, Bidens pilosa, and Turnera subulata
Avoid using chemical pesticides
Provide water sources (e.g., shallow water with pebbles)
Install bee hotels for solitary species
Support urban biodiversity programs