Apis florea, commonly known as the dwarf honey bee or red dwarf honey bee, is a unique honey bee species. This small, wild bee is one of two species in the subgenus Micrapis, distinguished by its characteristics and behaviors. First identified in 1787, Apis florea is considered among the most primitive living honey bee species due to its simpler colony structure and nesting habits.
Appearance and Unique Behaviors
Apis florea is smaller than other honey bee species, with worker bees measuring 7 to 10 millimeters in length. Their reddish-brown coloration contributes to their common name, the red dwarf honey bee.
A distinctive behavior of Apis florea is its open-air nesting strategy. Colonies construct a single, exposed comb, often hanging from tree branches or shrubs at lower elevations. The bees form a living curtain, or “bivouac,” around this comb, which can be three to four bees thick, providing protection from predators. This species also exhibits a wax salvage behavior where colonies that migrate short distances reuse wax from old nests, a behavior not observed in other honey bee species.
Communication involves a distinctive “horizontal dance” performed on the top edge of their exposed comb, which serves as a dance platform. Unlike other honey bees that perform their waggle dance vertically, Apis florea foragers communicate the direction and distance of food sources horizontally. This open-comb branch site acts as an information center for foraging, allowing bees to convey information about pollen and nectar sources, water, and safety.
Geographic Range and Habitat
Apis florea has a wide native distribution across South and Southeast Asia. Its range includes Thailand, India, Myanmar, Iran, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and parts of China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Since 1985, this species has also been found in Sudan, indicating a broader spread.
These bees prefer tropical and subtropical forest habitats, but they are also commonly found in shrublands and urban areas where vegetation is available. Their nests are often built at lower altitudes, on plant branches. They show a preference for nesting plants like Pongamia pinnata, Mangifera indica, and Bougainvillea species.
Ecological Role and Human Uses
Apis florea plays a role as a pollinator for various wild and cultivated plants within its native ecosystems. They pollinate tropical fruit crops in Thailand and contribute to the reproductive success of plants like bitter gourd, carrot, moringa, coriander, and phalsa. Their frequent foraging and high mobility contribute to biodiversity and support agricultural yields.
While Apis florea colonies are smaller and produce less honey compared to larger honey bee species, their honey is still collected and valued locally. This honey is often prized for its unique flavor and perceived medicinal properties. In Hindu culture, the honey from these bees symbolizes “the blendedness of everything” and is used in traditional ceremonies. In Buddhist culture, offering honey to monks is considered a rewarding act. Local communities often engage in traditional honey harvesting methods, interacting with these bees through both hunting and, in some areas, tourism.