Resumo. The introduction of exotic species, such as stingless bees, into distinct biomes generates controversy due to ecological, genetic, and sanitary risks that may threaten biodiversity and public health, despite the recognized economic and environmental benefits of meliponiculture. This study records the occurrence of a worker of Melipona fasciculata Smith, 1854, popularly known as `Tiúba´, a species predominantly native to the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, found thousands of kilometers from its natural range in the municipality of Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. The record suggests illegal or accidental transport of colonies. The individual was documented through photographs and identified with the assistance of specialists. After the sighting, additional searches in the area were conducted without success in finding other individuals or colonies. Previous studies report similar cases, such as Melipona seminigra (`Uruçu-boca-de-renda´) recorded in the municipality of Campo Bom, approximately 40 km away, also outside its natural range. Such evidence indicates that, despite existing regulations, enforcement remains insufficient, and some meliponiculturists do not understand that, unlike other confined livestock, stingless bees cross ecological boundaries and may compete with native species intended for conservation. It is concluded that colony transport requires stricter regulations, traceability, and biosafety protocols, as well as participatory monitoring involving beekeepers, environmental agencies, and researchers.