ABSTRACT
The distribution, nesting biology, and floral resources of the giant honeybee (Apis dorsata) in southern West Bengal, India, are studied in this chapter. Apis dorsata is distributed within tropical and subtropical Asia. It is the largest among the three wild honeybee species in southern Bengal. The density of colonies varies seasonally due to the bees’ migratory behavior, with a higher number of populations during the winter to summer. Water tanks, house structures, and branches of large trees with rough bark texture are preferred as nest substratum. Their nests are in single or aggregations with a large-sized, semicircular comb of hexagonal cells. The honey storage cells are found at one end of the comb, which is deeper than the brood cells and larger. Apis dorsata is regarded as generalist visitors as they foraged on many plant species having diversified plant habits, flowering phenology, and floral characteristics. Their forage spectrum constitutes many agri-horticultural and wild plants. Their hairy body surface, large colony size, high flower visitation rate, floral constancy, and most legitimate manner of flower visiting make them effective pollinators of many plant species. As a result, they play a critical role in ecosystem services and crop production enhancement in these places.
