Bio-ecology of Asian giant honeybee, Apis dorsata F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at Arid, semi-Arid and Malnad regions of South-Western Karnataka, India
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
India is one of the honey hubs, where large quantity of multifloral honey comes from the wild colonies of Asian giant honeybee, Apis dorsata Fabricius. Being an open nester, A. dorsata construct big sized comb and thrive well under diversified ecosystems by extending pollination services to various plant species. However, during its stay at arid, semi-arid and malnad regions, experiencing hardships while availing ecological and biological factors at its nesting site. Reports are scanty and that show less attention compared to domestic species like A. cerana and A. mellifera. Therefore, investigations were made during 2010-12 by following various standard methods to reveal bio-ecology of A. dorsata at various regions of south-western Karnataka, India. Information on colony density, abundance, hive products potential, various nesting parameters, floral source, natural and man-made intereferences on the survival of A. dorsata were collected. A. dorsata thriving well by nesting single or multiples of variously sized colonies on several tree species including on human built structures at specific elevation with unique comb architecture. To avail continuous floral source during different seasons, A. dorsata exhibited ubiquitous nesting behaviour at different regions, but there existed a significant variation and did indicated the region specific nesting activity and hive products potential. Despite its ubiquitous nesting behaviour, predators, enemies, pests and human intrusions have made A. dorsata to face problems during its survival at various regions. However, suitable bio-ecological conditions that favour A. dorsata to thrive well under arboreal conditions in the wild are discussed to a greater length in this presentation.
Authors and Affiliations
K. S. Raghunandan, S. Basavarajappa
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP37553
- DOI -
- Views 186
- Downloads 0
Age and growth of Mullus surmuletus (L.) in Mostaganem coast, Northwest Algeria
The age, growth, of Mullus surmuletus, caught in Mostaganem (Northwest Algerian Sea) between January and December 2009, were investigated. Sex ratio female to male was 1:1.60. The total length of females ranged from 12...
Function of the NAC transcription factor family genes in the regulation of biotic stresses responses in plants
NAC transcription factor is one of the largest families of transcriptional regulators in plants, and members of the NAC gene family have been suggested to play important roles in the regulation of the transcriptional rep...
Iron oxides forms quantification in relation with soil genesis in soil parent materials
Soil of iron oxides forms are important parameters for the proper understanding of soil genesis. Triplicate soil profiles were selected at three different development stages in each of loess, alluvium, shale residuum, a...
Assessment of somaclonal variation in Plantago major using molecular markers
Plantago major is a short stemmed annual herb belongs to Plantaginaceae family which is important because of its wide use in pharmaceutical, medical, healthcare and industrial purposes. The present study was conducted t...
Autecological survey of Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss. in Rangelands of Iran
Nowadays due to genetic erosion and vegetation regress, investigation of autecology to determine ecological desire of rangeland plants is important and necessary. The autecology project of the S. cordifolium was perfor...