description Apis dorsata Overview
Apis dorsata, or the giant honey bee, is a large and highly defensive honey bee species native to South and Southeast Asia. Unlike many other honey bees, they construct large, exposed single-comb nests that hang from tall tree branches, cliffs, or urban buildings. These open-nesting bees are important pollinators in their ecosystems and are also harvested for honey and beeswax by local communities.
help Apis dorsata FAQ
Does Apis dorsata live in enclosed beehives?
No: a colony normally builds one enormous exposed comb beneath a tree limb, cliff overhang, or building structure. Unlike Apis mellifera, the species is migratory and has not been domesticated for conventional box-hive beekeeping.
Why do giant honey bees make shimmering waves across the nest?
Workers flip their abdomens in coordinated waves when a predator such as a hornet approaches. This defensive display, called shimmering, can warn or confuse the attacker before the colony escalates to stinging.
How large can an Apis dorsata nest become?
The exposed single comb can reach roughly 2 meters across and support tens of thousands of bees. At favored nesting sites, many colonies may cluster on the same tree, cliff, or building.
What should someone do if Apis dorsata nests on a building?
Keep well away and contact a local wildlife or experienced bee-removal specialist, because disturbing the exposed comb can provoke a mass defense. Apis dorsata occurs across South and Southeast Asia and is considerably more defensive than typical managed honey bees.
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