The Ecological and Economic Significance of Honey Bees: Challenges and Management in Indian Apiculture

advance estimate, NBB).Uttar Pradesh leads in production of honey with 22.5 (000'MT).More than 50% of the honey produced is exported to the major markets of Indian honey-USA, UAE, Saudi Arab, Bangladesh, Canada, etc.The country has exported 107.96 (000'MT) of honey for the worth of Rs. 1470.84 crore during year 2023-24 (APEDA). Species of honey beeApis dorsata (Rock bee): Rock bees are the largest among all other species of bees.They construct single comb in open area.Rock bees produce maximum honey among all other species (around 36 kg honey/comb/year), but due to their ferocious nature and habit of absconding they are difficult to domesticate. Apis cerana indica (Indian hive bee):Indian bees are medium in size, less ferocious and can be reared easily as compared to Apis dorsata, but they produce less amount of honey (5kg/comb/year).Indian bees are famous for cavity nesting as they make multiple parallel combs on dark cavities.They are also more prone to swarming and absconding.Apis florea (Little bee): These are the smallest bees and are mainly found in plains and