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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Apis florea Fabricius: A small honey bee with major ecological, agricultural and therapeutic significance – A review
Authors
Suresh R Desai, S D Patel, Sumedha, B L Raghunandan
Abstract
The red dwarf honey bee, A. florea
Fabricius, is the smallest member of the genus Apis and is widely
distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and the Middle
East. Although considered a wild and non-domesticated species, A. florea
plays a vital role in ecosystem functioning and agricultural sustainability due
to its strong floral fidelity, efficient foraging behavior, and adaptability to
diverse habitats. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the behavior,
nesting ecology, floral calendar, foraging patterns, pollination efficiency,
nutritional properties of honey, apitherapeutic potential and domestication
attempts of A. florea. Evidence highlights its significant contribution
to pollination of several crops such as coriander, fennel, aster, chamomile,
cucurbits and oilseeds, where it enhances yield and quality parameters. Beyond
pollination, A. florea produces nutritionally rich honey with high
antioxidant, antimicrobial and probiotic properties, while venom-derived
compounds such as melittin exhibit promising anticancer activity. Despite its
ecological and economic importance, A. florea populations are declining
due to habitat loss, predation, parasites, and insecticides application.
Although full domestication remains challenging because of its open-nesting and
absconding behavior, traditional management and semi-domestication approaches
demonstrate potential for conservation-oriented utilization. Recognizing and
conserving A. florea is essential for sustaining pollination services, biodiversity,
and the therapeutic value of its bee products.
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Pages:429-436
How to cite this article:
Suresh R Desai, S D Patel, Sumedha, B L Raghunandan "<i>Apis florea</i> Fabricius: A small honey bee with major ecological, agricultural and therapeutic significance – A review". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 429-436
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