Apis cerana

Apis cerana, also known as the Asian honey bee or the Eastern honey bee, is a species of honey bee native to southern, southeastern, and eastern Asia. This species is significant both ecologically and economically, playing a crucial role in the pollination of wild flora and cultivated crops within its range. Apis cerana is closely related to the well-known Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), but it has adapted to different environmental conditions and exhibits some unique behaviors and characteristics.

Description

Apis cerana is slightly smaller than its Western counterpart, with workers typically measuring between 9 to 11 mm in length. The bees have a dark brown body with lighter yellow stripes on the abdomen, which helps in species identification. Like other honey bees, Apis cerana exhibits a high degree of social organization, with a single fertile queen, numerous sterile female workers, and seasonal male drones within each colony.

Habitat and Distribution

The natural habitat of Apis cerana spans across a wide range of climates and topographies, including tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones of Asia. Countries within its distribution include India, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea, among others. Apis cerana typically nests in cavities, which can be found in hollow trees, rock crevices, or even man-made structures.

Behavior

One of the notable behaviors of Apis cerana is its method of dealing with predators, such as the hornets. They employ a defense mechanism known as "heat balling," where they swarm an intruder and vibrate their flight muscles to generate heat, effectively "cooking" the predator. This species is also known for its ability to forage on a wide variety of flowering plants, exhibiting a behavior known as "flower constancy," which enhances pollination efficiency.

Economic Importance

Apis cerana is an important pollinator for many crops and wild plants in Asia. It has been traditionally managed for honey production, although its yield is generally lower than that of Apis mellifera. However, its ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions and resist certain pests and diseases makes it a valuable species for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.

Conservation

The conservation status of Apis cerana is of concern due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and competition with the introduced Apis mellifera. Efforts are being made to conserve this species through habitat protection, sustainable beekeeping practices, and research on its ecological role and genetic diversity.

See Also

• Beekeeping
• Pollination
• Apis mellifera
• Biodiversity