Nest Orientation of Apis dorsata in Relation to Cell Tower: A Preliminary Report from Kerala, India

This chapter is aimed to study the nest orientation of Apis dorsata in relation to cell tower in the Kariavattom panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. Conservation of nesting structures such as cliffs and talltrees was considered to be important for maintainingviable populations of this important bee species. the beesnever built nests on the remnants of a previous colony ifit had been burnt, treated with chemicals or painted withenamels. Several swarms settled adjacent to each otherwithout causing disturbance to the neighbors. Observation of nest orientation of A. dorsata was carried out from April 2019 to March 2020. Most of the bee nests were oriented towards South east direction and minimum towards south west direction on buildings and trees. In the present study, the orientation of A. dorsata nests on different nesting structures was recorded towards all compass directions. Results showed that 60 nests (40 active nests, 20 abandoned combs) of A. dorsata were found. Tree species used as nesting sites were Ficus sp. (Moraceae), Adenanthera sp. (Fabaceae), Spondias pinnata (Anacardiaceae), Artocarpus sericoarpus (Moraceae), Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae), Knema cinerea (Myristicaceae) and Litsea mappacea (Lauraceae). The nests in trees were found in 3-11 meters (5 nests), 11-25 meters (20 nests), and 20-35 meters on buildings (35 nests). Maximum nets on building were noted on the top of Greenfield International Stadium (30 nests). The orientation of A. dorsata nests on different nesting structures was recorded towards all compass directions. But they showed fluctuation in their numbers towards each direction. Generally selection of these nesting structures will be attributed to greater protection of colonies against pests, predators, bright sunlight and even winds pressure.