Indian honey bee

How to recognise it

• Indian honey bees are small, golden-yellow to brownish bees with dark bands on the abdomen.
• Workers are 9–10 mm long, smaller than Western honey bees.
• They have relatively short tongues and dense body hair.
• The abdomen shows distinct yellow and black striping.
• Queens are larger (12–14 mm) with elongated abdomens, while drones have larger eyes and stockier bodies.
• Colonies are less aggressive than European bees and have a characteristic zigzag flight pattern when escaping predators.

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Apidae

Genus

Apis

Species

Apis cerana indica

Other names: Known as Thēṉī (தேனீ) in Tamil, Tēne (ತೇನೆ) in Kannada, Tene (തേനീ) in Malayalam, and Tēnē tīgā (తేనె తీగ) in Telugu. Also called Yellow Indian honey bee, Asian honey bee, or Eastern honey bee.

Uses and culture

• Indian honey bees are vital pollinators of fruit trees, vegetables, and wild plants across Asia.
• They contribute significantly to crop yields of mango, coconut, tamarind, drumstick, cucurbits, and many other plants.
• Honey from Apis cerana indica is valued for its distinctive flavor and is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its perceived antibacterial and healing properties.
• Beeswax is used for candles, cosmetics, and traditional crafts.
• Propolis and bee venom have traditional medicinal applications.
• In rural India, beekeeping provides supplementary income and employment.
• Indian honey bees hold cultural significance in many communities and are featured in traditional folklore and religious practices.
• Their ecological role in maintaining biodiversity through pollination is immense.
• Unlike introduced Western bees, Indian bees are better adapted to local flora, climate, and diseases, making them more sustainable for small-scale and traditional beekeeping.

Where it is found

• Native to southern and eastern Asia, from India and Pakistan eastward through China, Korea, Japan, and south to Indonesia and the Philippines.
• In India, Apis cerana indica is found throughout the country, being especially prevalent in southern states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and across the Eastern and Western Ghats.
• It has adapted to diverse habitats from coastal plains to mid-elevation forests.
• Some populations have been introduced to Papua New Guinea and parts of the Solomon Islands.

Natural habitat

• Indian honey bees inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, agricultural landscapes, and gardens.
• They nest in tree cavities, rock crevices, fallen logs, and building cavities, preferring enclosed spaces 10–60 litres in volume.
• They thrive in areas with diverse flowering plants and access to water.
• In the wild, they occur from sea level up to 2,000 metres elevation, favoring areas with annual rainfall of 800–3,000 mm and temperatures between 15–35°C.
• They are well adapted to scattered nectar sources and can forage effectively in fragmented habitats.

Soil, water and climate

• Require access to clean, fresh water sources within 100–200 metres of the hive for drinking and cooling the colony.
• Bees prefer shallow water sources with landing platforms like stones or floating leaves.
• They collect water actively during hot weather.
• For foraging, they need diverse flowering plants providing nectar and pollen.
• Plants should bloom throughout the year to sustain the colony.
• Good air circulation around the hive is essential, with hives facing east or north for optimal temperature regulation.

Life cycle

• The queen mates once in her lifetime during mating flights, storing sperm for 2–3 years.
• She lays 600–1,000 eggs per day in peak season.
• Worker eggs hatch in 3 days, larvae are fed for 6 days, then pupate for 12 days (total 21 days from egg to adult).
• Drones develop in 24 days.
• Queens develop in 16 days from specially fed larvae in queen cells.
• Workers live 4–8 weeks during active seasons, longer in winter.
• The colony maintains itself year-round in tropical climates.
• Swarming occurs when the colony divides
  • the old queen leaves with half the workers to establish a new nest while a new queen emerges in the original hive
• Swarming peaks in March–May before monsoons.

How to get it

• Obtain bees from registered beekeepers, government bee farms, or agricultural universities that maintain certified disease-free stock.
• In Tamil Nadu, contact the Department of Agriculture or Khadi and Village Industries Commission for approved sources.
• Capture swarms ethically using bait hives placed near existing colonies during swarming season (March–May).
• Purchase nucleus colonies (4–5 frames with queen, brood, and workers) from certified suppliers.
• Never take colonies from wild nests—this harms native populations.
• Join local beekeeping associations for guidance and access to quality bees.
• Ensure the source provides health certificates and follows biosecurity protocols.

Step by step

1. Choose a location with access to diverse year-round flowers within 1–2 km, clean water source nearby, partial shade, good air drainage, and away from human/animal traffic.
2. Set up Indian or Newton bee boxes (smaller than Langstroth) on stands 30–50 cm off the ground, facing east or north, with 2–3 metres between hives.
3. Obtain a nucleus colony or swarm during the active season (October–April) from a certified disease-free source. Avoid starting during monsoon.
4. Transfer the colony into the prepared box in early morning or evening. Ensure the queen is present. Provide 5–6 frames with foundation or drawn comb.
5. Feed sugar syrup (1:1 ratio) for the first 2–3 weeks to help the colony establish, unless strong nectar flow is available.
6. Reduce the entrance to 2–3 cm for the first week to help bees defend the hive. Keep entrance clear of debris.
7. Inspect after 5–7 days to check the queen is laying (look for eggs and young larvae). Avoid opening the hive excessively.
8. Add a second box when bees cover 7–8 frames. Provide adequate space to prevent swarming.
9. Monitor weekly for pests (wax moths, ants, wasps), diseases, and food stores. Maintain written records of inspections.
10. Join a local beekeeping group for ongoing advice. Read about bee behavior and seasonal management specific to Indian honey bees.

Food and nutrition

• Indian honey bees forage on nectar and pollen from flowers.
• They prefer small to medium flowers that their short tongues can access.
• Major nectar sources in Tamil Nadu include coconut, mango, tamarind, drumstick, neem, jamun, sunflower, sesame, coriander, mustard, eucalyptus, and wild forest flowers.
• Pollen sources include maize, sorghum, and diverse flowering plants.
• A colony needs access to blooming plants throughout the year.
• During dearth periods (May–September), supplement with sugar syrup—mix white sugar and clean water in 1:1 ratio (light syrup for stimulation) or 2:1 ratio (thick syrup for storage).
• Boil briefly, cool, and offer in feeders inside the hive.
• Provide pollen substitute (soybean flour, brewer's yeast, powdered milk) if natural pollen is scarce.
• Always ensure fresh water is available within 100 metres.
• Avoid contaminated water sources.
• Do not feed honey from unknown sources, as it may carry diseases.
• Never use artificial sweeteners or brown sugar.

Rules in India

• In India, Indian honey bees (Apis cerana indica) are native and not regulated under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Commercial beekeeping is encouraged by the government and does not require special permits for keeping native bees.
• However, beekeepers should follow good apicultural practices and biosecurity guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture or Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
• When transporting colonies across state borders, check for any movement permits or health certificates required by the destination state.
• Do not introduce non-native bee species (such as Apis mellifera) in areas with native Indian honey bee populations to prevent disease transmission and competition.
• If starting commercial beekeeping operations, register with local agricultural or Khadi offices for extension support.
• There are no CITES restrictions on Indian honey bees as they are not threatened.
• For large-scale commercial enterprises, consult with the State Department of Agriculture for licensing and support schemes.

Conservation

• Apis cerana indica is not listed on the IUCN Red List, and wild populations remain widespread across India.
• However, Indian honey bee populations face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, diseases (especially Thai Sac Brood Virus), competition from introduced Western honey bees, and climate change.
• Maintaining genetic diversity and healthy wild populations is important for pollination of native plants and crops.
• Support conservation by: planting diverse native flowers that bloom year-round
  • avoiding pesticides or using bee-safe alternatives
  • supporting organic farming
  • maintaining small apiaries with disease-free stock
  • not capturing wild colonies excessively
  • and leaving wild nesting sites undisturbed
• Promote awareness about the ecological importance of native bees.
• Encourage research into disease resistance and sustainable beekeeping practices.
• Join or support local beekeeping associations working on Indian bee conservation.