Scaptotrigona xanthotricha

Yes, like other stingless bees it produces honey that people harvest through meliponiculture, the traditional stingless-bee keeping practiced in Brazil. Yields per colony are much smaller than those of European honeybee (Apis mellifera) hives.

It is known in Brazilian meliponiculture for being notably defensive, despite having no functional sting. Colonies defend themselves by biting intruders and by working sticky resin into their defenses, which is why keepers treat it with respect.

It comes from Greek roots meaning 'yellow-haired,' xanthos for yellow and thrix for hair, referring to the bee's yellowish pile. It is one of the native Brazilian stingless bee species kept by meliponicultores.

Keepers house colonies in rational wooden hive boxes, such as the box models widely used in Brazilian meliponiculture, which allow honey harvest without destroying the nest. Its defensive temperament means it is kept by more experienced beekeepers rather than beginners.