Bio-ecology of Asian giant honeybee, Apis dorsata F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at arid, semi-arid and regions of SouthWestern Karnataka, India
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 3
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 EP37593
- DOI -
- Views 157
- Downloads 0
Comparison of maize hybrids effect on seed traits
In order to determine the growing characteristics and detecting the morphological bases of yield difference, study of relations between different traits with each other and with grain yield, determining the most importa...
Assessment of clove oil and Benzocaine Anaesthesia on Haematological and Histopathological profile of Haludaria fasciata
Transportation of live fish is a stressful procedure. Present study assesses the optimal concentration and the degree of effectiveness of clove oil and benzocaine as anaesthetics separately for stress reduced transportat...
Species diversity of Odonata in Bega watershed, Agusan del Sur, Philippines
Odonata is dependent upon habitats with standing or flowing water. Its sensitivity to changes in water ecosystems makes it a good biological indicator. This study aimed to determine the species richness of Odonata in Be...
Atmospheric Gaussian Dispersion Modeling for Central Region of Iran
This paper describes the atmospheric dispersion modeling using radionuclides for a hypothesis plant in the central region of Iran. pollutants concentration is estimated by using a mathematical Gaussian plume model in M...
Hydro-priming effects on safflower under water limitation: Some physiological traits, grain and oil yields
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydro-priming durations on some physiological traits and yield of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under different irrigation treatments. The results indicated...