Indian Honey Bee

📖 Description

Indian Honey Bee (Apis cerana indica) is the native honey bee of the Indian subcontinent and one of the most important pollinators of Indian agriculture. The species is well-adapted to the tropical and subtropical climate of the region, tolerating high temperatures, high humidity and seasonal rainfall better than the introduced European honey bee (Apis mellifera). Beyond pollination services, A. cerana indica produces 8-15 kg of honey per colony per year and is the basis of traditional beekeeping by tribal and rural communities across India — particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and the Northeast. The species is particularly valuable for pollination of mustard (over 6 million hectares in India), sunflower, sesame, pulses, cucurbits, mango, citrus, apple (in hills), litchi, cardamom and many other crops. Pollination by honey bees increases fruit set by 30-100% in many crops, with economic value of pollination services estimated at over ₹30,000 crore per year in India — far exceeding the value of honey production. The species is threatened by (a) indiscriminate insecticide use during flowering, (b) habitat loss from intensive agriculture, (c) competition from introduced Apis mellifera, and (d) diseases and parasites (particularly Varroa mite and Thai Sac Brood Virus). Conservation of native A. cerana indica populations through reduced insecticide use during flowering, maintenance of flowering border crops, support for traditional beekeeping, and protection of natural nesting sites is essential for sustainable Indian agriculture.