Honeybees play a vital role in our ecosystems as pollinators, contributing to the growth of crops and plants. These social insects live in colonies, sustaining themselves with nectar and pollen from flowers. In the Himalayas, five species of honeybees can be found, with four being indigenous to the region and one exotic species introduced for commercial purposes. In this blog, we will explore both the indigenous and exotic types of honeybees, highlighting their characteristics and importance in pollination and honey production.
Indigenous Honeybee Species
1. Little Honeybee (Apis florea)
The Little Honeybee, or Apis florea, is the smallest species of honeybee found in the Himalayan region. These bees are wild and are commonly seen in southern and southeastern Asia. They live in hills and plains, thriving at altitudes of up to 1,200 meters above sea level (masl).
Apis florea is an open-nesting honeybee, meaning it builds small, single comb nests on tree branches or bushes. These bees tend to migrate frequently, especially if the nesting site or foraging area does not meet their needs. While the honey yield from Apis florea is about 1 kg per colony annually. The honey produced is valued for its medicinal properties. Little honeybees are also excellent pollinators, helping maintain the natural flora and crops in the Himalayan foothills.
2. Giant Honeybee (Apis dorsata)
Apis dorsata, or the Giant Honeybee, is a larger species that is commonly found in both plains and hilly areas at altitudes of up to 1,000 masl. These bees prefer undisturbed nesting sites, often choosing the tops of tall trees or water towers to build their large, single comb nests.
They are known for building multiple nests in one location and migrating between the hills and plains based on the season. Giant Honeybees are highly defensive and can be aggressive when provoked, often performing mass attacks.
Despite their temperament, they are prolific honey producers, with some colonies yielding up to 50 kg of honey annually. Their contribution to pollination is significant, as they assist in pollinating crops, fruit trees, and other natural flora.
3. Himalayan Cliff Bee (Apis laboriosa)
The Himalayan Cliff Bee, or Apis laboriosa, holds the title of the world’s largest honeybee. These bees are native to the high-altitude areas of the Himalayas, found between 1,200 and 3,000 masl.
Apis laboriosa shares some characteristics with the Giant Honeybee but is darker in color and even more defensive. As the name suggests, Himalayan Cliff Bees prefer to nest on steep rocky cliffs. They build large combs, often larger than those made by Apis dorsata, and multiple colonies tend to nest in close proximity. These bees migrate based on seasonal changes and the availability of flowering plants.
Honey production from Apis laboriosa can be as high as 60 kg per colony per year. In addition to producing honey, these bees are valuable pollinators of high-altitude crops and wild plants.
4. Asian or Indigenous Hive Bee (Apis cerana)
The Asian Hive Bee, also known as Apis cerana, is unique among the indigenous species because it can be kept in hives by farmers. This species is found in all eight countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. It can thrive in both plains and hilly regions at altitudes ranging from 300 to 3,400 masl.
Interestingly, the race of bees found in the plains is smaller than those found in the hills. Apis cerana is a cavity-nesting bee, typically choosing hollow tree trunks or rock voids to build its multiple parallel combs. Beekeepers manage this species in traditional log hives, wall hives, or movable frame hives for honey production and pollination services.
A healthy colony can contain up to 30,000 bees, producing as much as 20 kg of honey per year.
While Apis cerana is more resistant to diseases like European foulbrood and mites, the species has a tendency to swarm and abscond, which can complicate managed beekeeping.
Despite these challenges, continuous selection of the best colonies can improve beekeeping outcomes. These bees are excellent pollinators, particularly for fruit trees, oil seeds, and high-altitude crops.
Exotic Honeybee Species
1. European Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Apis mellifera, the European Honeybee, is the only exotic honeybee species found in the Himalayas and is used for commercial beekeeping in most parts of the world. Originating in Africa, this species spread to Europe and Asia before being introduced to the Americas and other parts of the world.
Apis mellifera thrives in areas up to 1,500 masl but needs to be moved to lower altitudes during the winter months. This species is highly productive, with colonies producing an average of 40 kg of honey annually in Nepal, 35 kg in India, and 20 kg in Bangladesh and Bhutan.
European Honeybees are efficient foragers, traveling up to 5 km from their hives to gather nectar, pollen, and other resources. A healthy Apis mellifera colony can contain between 60,000 to 70,000 bees. This makes them an efficient producer of honey and pollinator of various crops.
However, this species is more susceptible to diseases and parasites, such as brood diseases and mites, requiring beekeepers to use advanced management techniques.
Honeybees in Agriculture
Honeybees, both indigenous and exotic, play a crucial role in pollination, which is vital for the production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. Indigenous species like Apis cerana and Apis laboriosa are particularly well-adapted to the diverse climates and altitudes of the Himalayan region, making them essential for the pollination of high-altitude crops and wild plants. These bees not only contribute to the agricultural economy but also help maintain biodiversity by pollinating natural flora.