CHAPTER 8 | SPECIES AND CASTS
Honey bees belonging to the genus Apis are among the most important social insects known to mankind. Worldwide, four major honeybee species are commonly recognized: Apis dorsata, Apis florea, Apis cerana, and Apis mellifera. Although these species share several similarities in appearance and behaviour, they differ in body size, colour, nesting habits, temperament, and honey production capacity. Among them, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera are successfully domesticated and widely used for commercial and migratory beekeeping in India, whereas Apis dorsata and Apis florea remain wild species that are difficult to manage in artificial hives.
The Rock Bee (Apis dorsata)
The rock bee is one of the largest honeybee species found in India. It occurs mainly in plains, foothills, and lower hill regions up to about 1200 meters above sea level, although colonies are sometimes observed at even higher elevations. These bees migrate over long distances in search of favourable climatic conditions and abundant flowering plants.
Worker bees are large and robust, measuring nearly 19 mm across the thorax. The queen is longer than the workers, while drones are comparatively shorter. A worker bee possesses an average tongue length of about 6.6 mm, enabling efficient nectar collection from flowers. Colonies usually construct a single massive comb that may reach nearly 2 meters in length and over 1 meter in width. The comb is commonly attached to tree branches, cliffs, rocky surfaces, or building ceilings in locations protected from direct sunlight and rainfall.
Apis dorsata is considered an excellent honey producer, yielding nearly 50–100 kg of honey per colony under favourable conditions. A major share of naturally collected honey in India comes from this species. The bees are extremely defensive in nature and attack intruders collectively, often pursuing them for considerable distances. Because of their aggressive temperament and migratory behaviour, attempts to domesticate them have largely failed. Even experiments involving artificial insemination with Apis cerana were unsuccessful. Despite their sensitivity to smoke, these bees are hardy and capable of foraging even during heavy rains.
The Little Bee (Apis florea)
The little bee is commonly distributed across many regions of India, especially in low-altitude areas up to 500 meters, though occasional migration to higher elevations has been reported. This species is generally wild, and efforts to rear it in specially designed hives have achieved only limited success.
Colonies frequently migrate short distances, particularly when disturbed. In many cases, they abandon their nests, leaving behind brood, pollen, and honey stores. These bees are highly prone to swarming but are comparatively gentle unless provoked.
A single exposed comb, usually measuring around 30 × 15 cm, is built on small tree branches or shrubs where diffused sunlight is available. Worker bees possess an average tongue length of approximately 3.44 mm. Drones are larger and darker than worker bees.
The honey produced by Apis florea is traditionally believed to possess medicinal value and is often associated with relief from asthma, cough, colds, and tuberculosis. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims remains limited. Honey yield from this species is comparatively low, making it a poor commercial honey producer.
The Indian Bee (Apis cerana)
Body size, tongue length, and colour vary depending on geographical location and elevation. Bees from higher altitudes are usually darker, appearing grey or black, whereas those from lower regions exhibit brownish or yellowish shades. Studies have shown that tongue length increases gradually with altitude, helping bees utilize nectar from deeper flowers.
These bees naturally inhabit tree hollows, rock crevices, wall cavities, wooden logs, and storage boxes. In southern Indian plains, combs are generally constructed parallel to the hive entrance, while in cooler hilly regions the combs are built at right angles to the entrance. Worker bees can forage up to nearly 800 meters from the hive.
Apis cerana colonies show a tendency for swarming and absconding, especially under unfavourable conditions. Average honey production ranges from about 10–12 kg per colony annually in plains and may increase to 20–25 kg in hill regions. Honey obtained from this species is widely valued and traditionally recommended for ailments such as cough, asthma, jaundice, piles, and digestive disorders. Unlike some other honeybee species, Apis cerana does not collect propolis extensively.
The European Bee (Apis mellifera)
There are nearly 24 recognized races of Apis mellifera, differing in body colour, wing size, disease resistance, and behaviour. Since all races belong to the same species, interbreeding among them creates considerable variation.
These bees construct multiple parallel combs inside tree hollows, cavities, or artificial hives, similar to Apis cerana. However, they are superior in honey production and colony strength, making them highly suitable for commercial beekeeping. Their adaptability and productivity have made them one of the most preferred bee species for modern apiaries throughout the world.
Stingless Bees (Melipona Species)
Melipona bees are another group of honey-producing insects. Although called stingless bees, they possess a poorly developed sting and defend themselves mainly by biting intruders or releasing irritating secretions.
These bees build irregular wax and resin structures inside tree hollows, wall crevices, bamboo cavities, and underground spaces. Unlike Apis bees, each brood cell is provisioned with food before being sealed. Adult bees emerge after approximately 54–75 days, while their lifespan ranges between 14 and 19 days.
Honey production is comparatively low, usually only a few ounces per colony annually. Nevertheless, stingless beekeeping, known as meliponiculture, has been traditionally practiced in parts of Central America since ancient times.
Castes of Honey Bees
Honeybee colonies exhibit a highly organized social structure composed of three distinct castes: queen, workers, and drones.
The Queen Bee
The queen is the only fully developed female in the colony and serves as the reproductive individual. She is longer and broader than worker bees, with a tapering abdomen that extends beyond the wings. Her sting is smooth and mainly used against rival queens.
The queen performs orientation, mating, and swarming flights during her lifetime. Mating generally occurs within 5–10 days after emergence, during which she mates with several drones and stores sperm in a specialized organ called the spermatheca. This stored sperm is sufficient for her entire egg-laying life.
Her primary function is egg production. Fertilized eggs develop into workers or queens, while unfertilized eggs produce drones. Under favourable conditions, a queen may lay nearly 1200–1500 eggs per day. A healthy queen can survive for about four years, although beekeepers usually replace older queens every two years to maintain colony productivity.
Important Facts about the Queen
- Only one queen is normally present in a colony.
- She is the only bee capable of laying fertilized eggs.
- Queens may temporarily coexist with their daughters during supersedure.
- Worker bees regulate the queen’s activity and feeding.
Worker Bees
Worker bees are sterile females and form the majority of the colony population. They are the smallest caste but perform almost all duties required for colony survival.
Their bodies possess specialized organs for wax production, nectar collection, pollen gathering, and brood care. Hind legs are modified into pollen baskets, while the honey stomach stores nectar collected from flowers. Workers also produce wax for comb construction and enzymes necessary for converting nectar into honey.
The sting of a worker bee is barbed and functions as a defensive weapon. After stinging, the sting usually detaches from the body, causing the bee’s death.
Worker bees perform different duties according to age, including:
- Cleaning cells
- Feeding larvae and the queen
- Producing wax
- Guarding the hive
- Collecting nectar, pollen, water, and propolis
During active seasons, worker bees generally survive for about 5–6 weeks, though they may live longer during winter.
Important Facts about Worker Bees
- Workers carry out all hive activities except egg laying.
- They can sting only once.
- Strong colonies contain thousands of worker bees.
- Their lifespan varies according to workload and season.
Drone Bees
The primary role of drones is to mate with virgin queens during mating flights. After successful mating, the drone dies because its reproductive organs rupture. During periods of food scarcity, workers often expel drones from the colony.
Drones develop from unfertilized eggs and are reared mainly during breeding seasons.
Important Facts about Drone Bees
- Drones are the only male bees in the colony.
- Their main role is reproduction.
- They do not possess stings.
- Strong colonies may contain nearly 300 drones during breeding periods.
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