Abstract
The Asian giant honeybee Apis dorsata forms massive single-comb colonies which usually hang from a tree branch or the eaves of buildings. Although colonies regularly migrate over many kilometres, we find that they often return to their original nest site — even after an absence of up to two years. How the bees do this is unknown, as workers live for only a few weeks.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Koeniger, N. & Koeniger, G. J. Apic. Res. 19, 21–34 (1980).
Oldroyd, B. P., Osborne, K. E. & Mardan, M. Ins. Soc. 47, 94– 95 (2000).
Estoup, A. et al. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 258, 1– 7 (1994).
Oldroyd, B. P. & Osborne, K. E. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 266, 1335–1339 (1999).
Weir, B. S. Annu. Rev. Genet. 28, 597–621 (1994).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paar, J., Oldroyd, B. & Kastberger, G. Giant honeybees return to their nest sites. Nature 406, 475 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35020196
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/35020196
This article is cited by
-
Migration in honey bees
Insectes Sociaux (2023)
-
Timing of drone flights and observations of other colony behaviors of Apis laboriosa in northern Vietnam
Apidologie (2023)
-
Influence of seasonal weather variables and habitat type on numbers of colonies of the giant honey bee in Nepal
Apidologie (2022)
-
Pan-Himalayan High Altitude Endemic Cliff Bee, Apis laborisa Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae): A Review
Proceedings of the Zoological Society (2019)
-
Nesting Behaviour of the Giant Honeybees Apis dorsata Occurring in Jhargram, West Bengal, India
Proceedings of the Zoological Society (2017)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.