ABSTRACT
The exotic dwarf or little honeybee, Apis florea, is originally prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of South East Asia. The widespread distribution of this bee is limited to warm climates where it performs well. Over the past decades, A. florea has been accidentally introduced by human activities to the African subcontinent where the species effectively established sustainable and expanding vital populations. In 1985, A. florea was detected in a garden in a suburb and forest of Khartoum in Sudan. Invasion and rapid expansion of A. florea into the Sudan region have shown significant and effective colonizing ability, as well and the species’ dramatic contribution to the agroecosystem. However, the species is well adapted to new, hot, arid conditions of Sudan without being affected by the competition from other wild honeybee species. It is likely that A. florea in Sudan might have undergone certain behavioural changes or degeneration in its characters during ecological adaptation to different climatic conditions and excessive inbreeding after its introduction into Sudan. Therefore, this chapter tries to study the present status and detailed research of A. florea and to understand its impact in the new ecosystem and potentially possible economic advantages.
