Question

What are important species of honeybees in India?

Hint:

Remember: India has four main honeybee species - Apis cerana (domesticated indigenous), Apis mellifera (domesticated exotic high-yielder), Apis dorsata (wild giant), and Apis florea (wild dwarf). Each has distinct characteristics and importance.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question
The question asks to list the major species of honeybees that are found in India, which are important for honey production and pollination.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation
There are four main species of honeybees found in India:

The Indian Hive Bee (Apis cerana indica):
This is an indigenous species that can be domesticated. It builds multiple parallel combs in enclosed spaces like tree hollows or man-made hives. It is a good pollinator but is prone to swarming and has a moderate honey yield (about 6-8 kg per colony per year).


The European Bee or Italian Bee (Apis mellifera):
This is an exotic species introduced to India for commercial beekeeping. It is preferred by beekeepers because it is docile, has a low swarming tendency, and produces a very high yield of honey (about 25-40 kg per colony per year).


The Rock Bee (Apis dorsata):
This is a wild, giant honeybee that cannot be domesticated. It builds a single, large comb in open spaces, often on high tree branches or cliffs. It is very aggressive but produces a large amount of honey, which is collected by "honey hunters".


The Little Bee (Apis florea):
This is another wild species, the smallest of the honeybees. It builds a single, small comb in bushes and shrubs. It produces very little honey but is an important pollinator.


Step 3: Final Answer
The important species of honeybees in India are the Indian Hive Bee (Apis cerana indica), the European Bee (Apis mellifera), the Rock Bee (Apis dorsata), and the Little Bee (Apis florea).