ABSTRACT
Nepal is rich in honeybee diversity. Four native species of honeybees—Apis laboriosa, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, and Apis cerana— and one exotic species, Apis mellifera, are found in Nepal . A. laboriosa is found in high altitudes ranging from 862–4,300 m in the northern parts, whereas A. dorsata range from 79–700 m in the southern parts of Nepal. A. laboriosa migration from Pokhara to Machhapuchhre is 26 km, whereas A. dorsata range within 48 km in Terai regions to foothill of Siwalik. A. dorsata prefer hot and humid climates, whereas A. laboriosa the middle hilly regions, which are cold and pleasant, almost all the year around, although the winter nights are cool. Stepwise migratory behavior (stops for rest and foraging) of A. laboriosa was observed but stepwise migratory behavior was not observed in A. dorsata. I have reported 13 new locations of A. laboriosa nesting sites in Nepal. A. laboriosa are declining due to burning and cutting the whole live brood combs—so-called honey hunting methods—whereas A. dorsata decline is due to the heavy application of pesticides, especially in mustard. If these two giant honeybee species vanish from the central Himalayas, there will be a big disaster in the natural ecosystems of the region.
