Interspecific interactions among Asian honeybees

Abstract

The behavioural relationships of mixed-species colonies are reviewed and attempts made to uncover those features of their behaviour that are conserved subsequent to speciation. Both Apis cerana and Apis mellifera in mixed-colonies exhibited typical retinue behaviour towards heterospecific queens. Both showed similar ovarian activation under heterospecific queens. Each species can decode the information contained in the waggle dances of the other. While workers cooperate in comb construction, A. mellifera workers behaved more defectively in thermoregulation. Faced with threats by predatory wasps, both species engaged in aggressive defensive behaviour. The two species can adapt to each other's efforts and task allocation is reasonably organised, allowing mixed-species colonies to reach stability. These results suggest that the social behaviours discussed here were highly conserved following speciation.