Melipona Bees and Their Historical Relationship with Vanilla Pollination

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) is a tropical orchid whose history is deeply intertwined with the culture and ecology of Mesoamerica. One of the most notable natural elements in its reproductive cycle in its native environment is the melipona bees, stingless bees endemic to the region. These bees played a crucial role in the pollination of vanilla …