278 



SOME SOL Til INDIA - ETC. 



I ig. 117. — Apis dorsata, worker, ["he >mall outline figure show I 

 uatural size. " (riginal.) 



Distribution. Throughout the Hills and sub-montane districts, 

 apparently migrating into the Plains. 



Lifehistory. -A large single comb is formed, usually about 3 feet 

 wide and deep, but often much larger; it is suspended under the 

 horizontal branch of 1 tree or under an overhanging rock or similar 

 situation. The colonies are gregarious and many combs are usually 

 found together, the same locality being resorted to year after year. 



Status. Very beneficial in pollination of flowers and useful as 

 yielding hone) and wax. 



Remarks (i) This bee does not appear capable of domestication. 

 (2) This is the Large or Roi k Bee; Tamil, Malaiitlwiice( Moun- 

 tain Bee). 



APIS [NDICA, Kb. 



Apis indica, Fabr., Ent. Syst. Suppl, p. 274 (1798) ; Bingham, Faun. 

 Ind. Hym.. 1. 558. t. 4- f- 12. 



lh,. lis. Apis indica, worker. Tin small outline figure shows tin natural 

 size. (( (riginal.) 



Distribution. — Throughout Southern India. 



Lifehistory. Several parallel combs, each about a toot wide and 

 d :ep, are suspended usually in a hollow tree or similar more or less 

 protected situation. The colonies are not gregarious. 



