Which one of the following honeybee species is native to the Indian subcontinent?

The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. Apis dorsata

Key Points

Apis mellifera - 

• It is also known as the Western honey bee.
• Native Range: Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Characteristics:
  • It is a small-sized honeybee species with a moderate-sized colony.
  • They are widely used for commercial honey production and pollination services in various parts of the world.
  • They are known for their complex social organization and sophisticated communication through the famous "waggle dance."

Apis dorsata - 

• It is also known as the Giant honey bee.
• Native Range: South and Southeast Asia, including the Indian subcontinent.
• Characteristics:
  • Apis dorsata is the largest among all honeybee species.
  • They are known for building massive single comb nests that can be several meters wide and house thousands of bees.
  • They are strong and aggressive bees, and their honey harvesting can be dangerous due to their defensive behavior.

Apis koschevnikovi - 

• Native Range: Parts of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia.
• Characteristics:
  • It is a relatively small and elusive species of honeybee.
  • They are not as well studied as some other honeybee species and are found in remote and inaccessible areas.

Apis nigrocincta - 

• Native Range: Indonesia and the Mindanao island of the Philippines.
• Characteristics:
  • It is a medium-sized honeybee species with distinctive black bands across its abdomen.
  • They are known for building their nests in various locations, including tree branches, cavities, and human-made structures.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.