Research Gaps Leave Colombia’s Bees Uncounted

Nearly 41% of Colombia’s collected bee records came from Antioquia and Cundinamarca, departments with major universities and research centers. That concentration shapes which places are visible on the scientific map—and which remain blurred. La Guajira and Arauca each have fewer than 35 documented species, though researchers say their dry environments could support considerable diversity that has not been adequately studied.

The country’s most comprehensive bee inventory to date confirmed 738 species, including 140 found only in Colombia. Earlier estimates ranged from 466 to 604. The new count puts Colombia fourth in South America for identified bee species, behind Brazil, Argentina and Peru.

What the records show—and miss

Researchers combined previous studies, scientific records and biological collections. Specialists analyzed nearly 88,000 records and examined more than 62,000 specimens. The review added 246 species absent from previous national records and removed 109 from historical lists because researchers couldn’t find enough scientific evidence to confirm those species’ presence.

Those numbers aren’t just a census of bees. They also reflect where expeditions and studies have taken place. Researchers cautioned that fewer recorded species don’t necessarily mean lower biological diversity, and called for more field expeditions and research in less-explored territories. The inventory identifies the imbalance; the evidence still has to be gathered on the ground.

At the regional level, researchers recorded 483 species in the Andean region, 280 in the Orinoquia, 265 in the Amazon, 222 in the Caribbean and 169 in the Pacific. The figures span mountainous areas, tropical forests and dry landscapes. Departmental counts include 269 species in Antioquia, 220 in Meta, 207 in Cundinamarca and 200 in Valle del Cauca. Researchers said those totals are also influenced by the number of studies and scientific expeditions conducted in each area.

The work communities already do

In Putumayo, local communities use at least 35 native bee species. Their meliponiculture—the raising and management of native bees—combines traditional knowledge with productive activities, provides honey and other products, and can strengthen rural economies while encouraging pollinator conservation. This isn’t simply a question of what specialists can count. Communities already have relationships and practices built around these bees.

The inventory found that 57% of recorded species are solitary and 57% build nests above ground, including in tree cavities, trunks and branches. The article says those patterns differ from other parts of the world, where underground nesting is more common. Many Colombian bees build their own nests instead of living in organized colonies associated with beekeeping.

A count is not protection

Statistical models estimate Colombia could have approximately 1,035 bee species, with around 300 potentially still awaiting discovery or scientific description. Researchers also found specimens in biological collections that might belong to species previously unknown to science; further taxonomic analysis must determine whether they are new and establish their characteristics. One notable record, Osmia azteca, was found in Antioquia within the Choco biogeographic region. It was the first South American record of a native bee belonging to this genus.

Bees transfer pollen between flowers, helping plants reproduce and supporting agriculture. Their activity benefits production of avocados, strawberries, blackberries, oranges and mangoes in Colombia. Researchers said long-term monitoring needs strengthening to identify which species are declining and which may face greater risks from habitat loss and other environmental pressures. The inventory offers a basis for future research and conservation priorities, especially for species whose distribution may be limited to specific Colombian ecosystems. Naming what’s known is a start. The lesser-studied territories still need attention, and the bees still need monitoring.