ENVS 2210 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Western Honey Bee, Apis Dorsata Laboriosa, Apis Dorsata
7 Dec 2018
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Document Summary
Oldest fossil in amber ~40 million years old. Most likely differentiated from wasps in south africa. Appearance similar to 30 million years ago = little evolution. 7 - 10 recognized species with 44 subspecies. All black to bright chestnut brown abdomen. 2 transverse abdominal bands of short pale hair. Large single comb exposed nests on high elevation. Pakistan, india, southeast asia, indonesia, philippines, southern china. Elongated yellowish to black abdomen with transverse bands of short pale hair. Thoracic covered with dense black and tan hairs. Apis laboriosa is related, larger and hairer. 3 subspecies more narrowly distributed as island population in southeast asia. India, sri lanka, southeast asia, indonesia, philippine, china, taiwan, japan. Importation to us poses risk for pests and parasites to apis mellifera. Domesticated but survive very well on their own (not domesticated) Spread to northern europe and eastwards into asia. Tropical, dry mediterranean region, cold northern temperate habitat.
