EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

15-21 June 2020

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Rock Bees of Punakha Dzong

Hives of Rock (Giant Honey) Bee (Apis dorsata laboriosa), Family Apidae
Punakha Dzong, Bhutan

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  As I was exploring the ancient fortress of Punakha Dzong in Bhutan, I happened to look skyward, and directly above me hung these massive, active hives of rock bees, also called giant honey bees.  

Rock bees are relatively common inhabitants of lowland wetlands and woodlands of south Asia, as I had previously explored in India, and they do occasionally make their home in eaves of buildings.  
  

  
This is the Himalayan giant honey bee, sometimes called the Himalayan cliff bee, and sometimes put in its own species of Apis laboriosa.  Purportedly, this is the world's largest honey bee, growing up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long.  Ouch. 

  

 

 

 

Nests of this species are huge
combs that can be up to 5 feet
(1.5 m) long, and each comb
can contain up to 60,000 bees!



  
  
Nests are often hung very high in eaves or trees,
likely to thwart animals from raiding the honey stash.

  

Next week's picture:  Slopes of Spitsbergen

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