A study to determine the species richness and spatial distribution of five meliponine bee species in three different habitats in the Kakamega forest was undertaken for the first time. Two forest (indigenous and mixed indigenous) and two grassland (with Eucalyptus spp. trees and indigenous trees) types, along with homesteads (in the vicinity of mixed indigenous forest and indigenous forest, respectively), were surveyed. Line transect methods were used in the nest survey in each habitat. The highest number of species was recorded in the indigenous forest, while no nest was discovered in the grassland with Eucalyptus spp. trees. The mean number of nests per transect was higher in homesteads followed by the indigenous forest. The nesting pattern of almost all species nesting in the indigenous forest, mixed indigenous forest (Meliponula bocandei [Spinola]) and grassland with indigenous tree species (Meliponula ferruginea [Lepeletier] reddish brown) was dispersed. The nesting pattern of M. ferruginea (reddish brown) and Hypotrigona gribodoi (Magretti) changed from a dispersed and random pattern, respectively, to a clumped nesting pattern when nesting in homesteads. The degree of nest clustering was low for M. ferruginea (reddish brown) and high for H. gribodoi. Differences in average nearest-neighbour distance were observed within species nesting in a dispersed or clumped pattern. This study reveals that habitat type in the Kakamega forest influences the species richness and nesting pattern of the five stingless bee species.

Heterogeneous agroforestry systems play an important role in maintaining animal pollinator diversity (Klein et al. 2003, Perfecto et al. 1996), most likely by extending floral resources in lean periods. An understanding of the mutualistic relationship between flower-visiting insects and crop species in such agroforestry systems (Kearns et al. 1998), particularly on the diversity of pollinator species, their spatio-temporal variations, foraging behaviour (Cunningham 2000, Greenleaf & Kremen 2006, Klein et al. 2003) and their pollination efficiency (Motten et al. 1981), is important as they are some of the crucial biological predictors of pollination success.

Stingless bees are little-known organisms but important plant pollinators in Bwindi Forest. They risk disappearance, as with other pollinators and seed dispersers, as a result of pesticide and herbicide poisoning, habitat alteration, invasion by alien species (plant and animal) and insularization of habitats. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park forest has five species of stingless bees in two genera (Meliponula and Hypotrigona). The conservation of pollinators in Bwindi needs to be urgently addressed, and among the required measures are studies on plant–pollinator relationships. The study also demonstrated the accuracy of Abayanda indigenous systematic knowledge.