Peculiar nesting of Indian honey bee, Apis cerana under open conditions.
Shashidhar Viraktamath, Rajitha A. R.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agril. Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India.
Insect Environment 10 : 170-171
Abstract : A peculiar nesting of Apis cerana in open conditions was seen nesting on a mango tree in a mixed fruit orchard (mango + guava + coconut + sapodillas) at Navalur, Karnataka, India on 25 March 2004. The colony was observed until desertion on 26 May 2004. All combs were measured after desertion. The colony had three combs constructed parallel to each other and the central comb was completely covered by all the stages of brood while two adjacent combs with pollen and honey. The bees showed normal foraging activity. Foragers were also found performing communication dances. The central comb with brood measured 15×12 cm while the two adjacent combs measured 8×6 cm and 7×5 cm.