Bees play a key role in the pollination process of several plant species. There are approximately 20 thousand species of bees described, among them, those of the genus Apis are the ones that stand out the most in pollination and that is why they are so important for agriculture. This work aimed to describe the importance of the beekeeping/meliponica activity in its ecoetnoentomological and socioeconomic aspects in the municipality of Cuité-PB. The methodology consisted of three steps: bibliographic survey; quantitative survey of active beekeepers / meliponicultores in the municipality; and data collection through the application of questionnaires. Ten semi-structured questionnaires were applied with farmers linked to beekeeping activity in the municipality. Data collection took place throughout the month of January, 2018, covering six rural communities. Most beekeepers related the importance of bees to the economic sector, corresponding to 44% of the citations. Among the bee products they use there are: honey, propolis, jelly and wax, with food and medicinal use prevailing with 55% and 30% of the quotations, respectively. As for the melitophilic flora observed by the beekeepers in the property, 20 different species were listed, comprising 12 botanical families. The beekeeping activity is only a complementary activity, and is not the main source of income for families. The producers are small and produce on average between 201 to 400 kg / year of honey. The municipality has the potential to develop beekeeping, but the long period of drought to which the region has suffered in recent years has had consequences and affected production.
Aspectos ecoetnoentomológicos e socioeconômicos da atividade apícola no município de Cuité-PB
