Developmental cycles of the red dwarf honeybee, Apis florea

Abstract

Published analyses of the structure of the single comb nests of A. florea are literally “instamatic snapshots” of nests. We have photographically documented the developmental changes and report on the details of the cyclical process of nest building until eventual abandonment of the nests by swarming or migration after 13-17 weeks. Nests changes occur in fifteen distinct stages. The growth curves of the nests show daily changes in comb length, width and area at a rate of 40 cm2/week and provide a final structure which is close to circular. The crown comb is constructed more quickly than the brood comb. The results are given ecological meaningfulness when they are placed in the context of related data on the immigration, emigration and stability of nests over a full year.