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Secrets of the Oriental Bee: How does Apis cerana survive on the Asian continent?
Apis cerana, also known as the Oriental honey bee or the Asian honey bee, is a bee species native to South and Southeast Asia. This species is known for its intense social behavior and ability to survive in the diverse geographical conditions of the Asian continent. But how do these bees successfully adapt and thrive in Asia's vast ecosystems?
Species background and classification
The scientific name for this bee was first described by Danish zoologist Johann Christian Fablix in 1793. Apis means "bee" in Latin. To date, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera belong to the _APIS_ family and are genetically closely related, although they exhibit many differences in ecology and behavior.
There have been discussions in the past that Apis cerana and Apis mellifera are just different subspecies of the same species, mainly due to similarities in morphology and behavior.
Habitat and distribution
Apis cerana's natural range ranges from the Primorsky Krai in Russia to the tropical forests of eastern Indonesia, and is distributed in China, India, Japan, and many countries in Southeast Asia. The bee is able to adapt to a variety of climatic conditions, including humid tropical rainforests and dry grasslands, and its survival strategies in different environments become an important factor in its success.
Nest construction and its behavior
The nest construction of Apis cerana shows diversity, and its nest is mainly composed of several spleens. When these bees choose a nest, they build multiple small entrances to ward off intruders from other nests. In addition, for food collection, Apis cerana bees usually focus on nectar and pollen, and produce honey from them for winter needs.
In summer, Apis cerana maintains a constant temperature in the nest through the evaporative cooling mechanism of water to ensure the healthy development of larvae.
Social structure and division of labor
The social structure of Apis cerana is very clear, usually consisting of thousands of worker bees, a queen bee and several male bees. The queen bee is responsible for laying eggs, while the worker bees are responsible for collecting food, cleaning the nest and raising larvae. The division of labor among bees is based on age, ensuring seamless functioning of the entire colony.
Communication methods
The main method of communication among bees is the "waggle dance," a way for working bees to communicate their location to other bees in the hive when they find a large source of nectar. This dance is both a sharing of information and a reflection of teamwork.
Strategies for facing threats
When an Apis cerana nest is attacked by a predator such as the Japanese giant hornet, the bees mount an organized defense, swarming and generating high temperatures to drive the predator away. This strategy, which can raise the temperature inside the nest to as high as 47°C, not only protects the safety of the colony, but also demonstrates their ability to cooperate with each other.
Future challenges and thoughts
Although Apis cerana's survival strategy on the Asian continent shows its adaptability and resilience, global climate change and human activities may threaten its habitat and survival ability. With human development, Apis cerana has been gradually introduced into new areas, such as Australia, and this transformation has had a potential impact on local ecosystems. We need to think about what the future of these elegant insects will look like in the modern world, and how will they face these challenges?
