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Dwarf honey bee

Dwarf honey bee

Apis florea

A species of Honey bees, Also known as Asian dwarf honey bee

The tiny dwarf honey bee thrives in tropical climates, navigating through dense vegetation with a remarkable ability to communicate spatial information to its brethren. Sophisticated dances guide foragers to rich floral patches, ensuring efficient pollen and nectar collection that feeds the collaborative society structured around their monarchical queen. Each forager's intelligence is exemplified by distinct floral preferences, meticulously selecting blooms that optimize the colony's survival and growth.

Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Does the Dwarf honey bee sting humans?
Human Stinging
General Info About Dwarf honey bee
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Attributes of Dwarf honey bee
Colors
Brown
Black
White
Orange
Habitat
A. florea spans the continents of Asia and Africa and is most commonly seen in Southeastern Asia (Thailand), the Northeastern part of India, China, and forested regions of the Middle East. A. florea reach a decision about a new nesting site via dancing. They decide on a site when the largest number of individuals dance in the direction of the new site. The workers use an auditory signal of piping to indicate a decision about a new site has been reached, with the top of the swarm lifting off into the air first, followed by the bottom of the swarm and then the middle reaching the air last, but all within one minute of the swarm’s initial lift off. Since dancing is a common mechanism of communicating about a new nesting site in both A. florea and A. mellifera, it is suggested that this form of nest site selection evolved in the common ancestor of Apis. However, A. florea do not re-evaluate a site before several individuals move to the new site like A. mellifera does. Instead, swarms travel to the new site as a group and leave to a new site if it is later discovered to be unsuitable. This makes searching for new sites a much faster process for A. florea, but not necessarily more accurate. Apis florea are found in southeastern Asian countries, especially in Thailand, Iran, Oman, India, Myanmar, and some parts of China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Since 1985 Apis florea is also found in Sudan. They live in forest habitats but they are also pollinators of tropical fruit crops in Thailand. Apis florea build exposed nests always with a single comb on a single branch. If they are building a new nest near to the old one, they salvage the wax from the old nest. Other species of honeybee do not exhibit this behavior, perhaps because of the risk of contaminating pathogens. This behavior is only observed in this species. Even within the species this behavior differs, the colonies that migrate less than 200 meters engage in wax recycling, but the colonies that migrate longer distances do not.
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, pollen, honey, water, tree sap
Venomous
The Dwarf honey bee can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Dwarf honey bee is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Dwarf honey bee feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing-lapping mouthparts
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Species Status of Dwarf honey bee
Widespread
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Distribution Area of Dwarf honey bee
Asian, Thailand, Iran, Oman, India, Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Vietnam
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Appearance of Dwarf honey bee
.A. florea is called the dwarf honey bee due to its small size compared to other honeybees. A worker is typically 7–10 mm in body length and its overall coloration is red-brown. A colony builds a single, exposed comb usually on tree branches or shrubs. A. florea produce honey that is harvested and eaten in Thailand and Cambodia. They are excellent pollinators, which gives them an important ecological role in the places they inhabit. Drones carry a thumb-like bifurcation called the basitarsus, which is located two-thirds along the length of the tibia. The fimbriate lobe of A. florea has three protrusions and they sting using two stylet barbs. Apis florea and its sister species together comprise the subgenus Micrapis, and are the most primitive of the living species of Apis, reflected in their small colony size, and simple nest construction. The exposed single combs are built on branches of shrubs and small trees. The forager bees do not perform a gravity-oriented waggle dance on the vertical face of the comb to recruit nestmates as in the domesticated Apis mellifera and other species. Instead, they perform the dance on the horizontal upper surface where the comb wraps around the supporting branch. The dance is a straight run pointing directly to the source of pollen or nectar the forager has been visiting. The distinctiveness of the two species A. florea and A. andreniformis was established unequivocally in the 1990s. A. florea is redder and old workers always have a red first abdomen (younger workers are paler in colour, as is the case in giant honey bees); A. andreniformis is generally darker and the first abdomen segment is completely black in old bees. Distinguishing characteristics of the dwarf honey bees are outlined below: CharacteristicA. floreaA. andreniformisWorkersBody length (mm)7-108-9Overall colorationRed-brownBlackProboscis length (mm)3.11-3.372.797-2.798Forewing length (mm)6.17-6.746.43-6.49Forewing width (mm)2.12-2.322.17-2.21Hindwing length (mm)3.17-4.833.22-3.23Hindwing width (mm)1.36 ± 0.041.25-1.28Comb dimensionsVertical length (fromsupport bottom) (cm) 12.0 ± 310.0 ± 3.3Horizontal width (cm)16.9 ± 5.312.2 ± 3.6Branch diameter (cm)0.8 ± 0.071.7 ± 1.7Worker cell dimensionsDepth of cell (cm)0.93 ± 0.070.76 ± 0.02Width of 10 cells (cm)2.98 ± 0.152.78 ± 0.23Drone cell dimensionsDepth of cell (cm)1.33 ± 0.071.45 ± 0.71Width of 10 cells (cm)4.88 ± 0.214.18 ± 0.24Queen cell dimensionsDepth of cell (cm)1.41 ± 0.151.24 ± 0.26Internal diameter of cell (cm)0.47 ± 0.090.54 ± 0.08
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Predators of Adult Dwarf honey bee
Birds, wasps, dragonflies, praying mantises, spiders, toads
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Interesting Facts About Dwarf honey bee
Dwarf honey bee, despite its tiny size, employs an advanced method of 'heat-balling' to fend off predatory wasps, engulfing intruders in a ball of bees to overheat them.
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Scientific Classification of Dwarf honey bee
Class
Bugs
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Order
Bees
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Tips for Finding Dwarf honey bee
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Youth Habitat of Dwarf honey bee
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas, Tropical Rainforests
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Adult Habitat of Dwarf honey bee
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas, Tropical Rainforests, Savannas, Mangroves and Coastal Wetlands
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How Can You Attract Dwarf honey bee
Sweet substances like sugar water, honey, or soft fruits can be used as trap food to attract dwarf honey bee.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Dwarf honey bee
Sunny and mild weather conditions without strong winds or rain are most suitable for finding dwarf honey bee as they prefer to forage in good weather.
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How and Where Can You Find Dwarf honey bee at Different Life Stages
Larva To find dwarf honey bee larvae, look inside the beehive cells. It requires careful observation or beekeeping skills to open the hive without causing disturbance and ensuring safety for both the searcher and the bees.
Pupal Dwarf honey bee pupae remain inside the hive's cells, so finding them involves the same approach as for the larvae. You must be knowledgeable in handling bees to prevent harm.
Adult For adult dwarf honey bee, searching flowers, especially those in bloom, is an effective method. Gardens, meadows, or any areas with abundant flowering plants provide good opportunities to observe and find adult dwarf honey bee.
Are Dwarf honey bee harmful?
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Are Dwarf honey bee harmful to humans?

Most bees are docile and only sting when they are irritated. The sting needles of bees are sharp and toxic, and people will obviously feel pain after being stung. Some bees may also cause swelling, redness, fever and itching. Some sensitive people may experience more severe symptoms or even death.
Harmful Effects of Dwarf honey bee
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Human Stinging
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Toxic to Humans

Dwarf honey bee possesses a stinger for defense, delivering a neurotoxin that can cause localized pain and swelling in humans. While typically mild with temporary discomfort, the sting's neurotoxin rarely leads to severe complications. Immediate effects include sharp pain and redness, without significant long-term implications for most individuals.

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Toxic to Animals

Dwarf honey bee, mostly during its larvae stage, uses its hair as a defense mechanism. When animals such as humans, dogs, cats, or birds come into contact with these hairs, they can experience discomfort. While the toxicity is generally mild, symptoms can include skin irritation or allergic reactions. The severity of the reaction varies among different animals, with some being more sensitive than others.

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Does the Dwarf honey bee sting humans?

Dwarf honey bee typically sting humans in defense of their nest or when they feel threatened. Stinging incidents often stem from close human interaction or disturbance. Unique to their stinging behavior, females possess stingers and are the only ones capable of stinging. When dwarf honey bee stings, it usually dies post-sting, as part of its abdomen is torn away with the stinger.

More Effects of Dwarf honey bee

Beneficial Effects of Dwarf honey bee
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Smell
Pollination Behavior Reason
Collect Pollen To Feed Offspring, Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Dwarf honey bee is a small but efficient pollinator, often seen buzzing around Asteraceae and fruit trees. Attracted by the vivid colors and sweet scents, it collects pollen to feed its offspring and for its own nourishment. During this process, dwarf honey bee inadvertently transfers pollen, aiding in the cross-pollination of plants.
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