Nesting behavior of the red dwarf honeybee, Apis florea Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Apis florea is an efficient pollinator of both wild and crop plants and produces substantial amounts of honey. Studies on the nesting behavior of A. florea concerning the nature of nesting structures, selection of nest height, and orientation of nests were conducted in selected four districts of South Karnataka, India. The observations showed that A. florea nests were found on herbs, shrubs, small trees, and other natural/man-made structures. Interestingly, they were abundant in shrubs. A. florea colonies were found at varied heights and were in greater numbers at heights of 0–2 m. Despite nests being found in all compass directions, more than 40% of the nests were towards northeast-southwest directions. The present study concludes that A. florea is well adapted to the plains of Karnataka by selecting nests at lower heights and orienting nests towards northeast-southwest directions. Such nest sites would provide suitable habitat for the successful establishment and survival of these dwarf honeybee species.