One research group in the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has successfully identified genetic variance in morphological characters of Apis cerana subspecies in the Himalayan region. These subspecies are named Apis cerana cerana, Apis cerana himalalja, and Apis cerana indica. According to bee scientists in China, five different subspecies of Apis cerana representing different eco-geographic zones have been identified. These include Apis cerana cerana, Apis cerana skorikovi, Apis cerana abaensis, Apis cerana hainanensis and Apis cerana indica.Each subspecies has further locally adapted populations called ecotypes which differ from each other in several biological and economic characters. For example, we have successfully identified three ecotypes of subspecies Apiscerana himalalja that correspond to geographic distribution in 1) the Naga and Milo Hills, 2) Brahmaputra Valley and Khasi Hills, and 3) the foothills of the north-east Himalayas. On similar lines, Chinese bee scientists have also classified Apis cerana cerana into five ecotypes namely, Guangdong-Guanxi type, Hunan type, Yunan type, North China type and Changbaishan type. In some parts of the Hindu Kush Himalaya, Apis cerana cerana matches the European hive bee Apis mellifera in commercial value and has spectacular potential for further genetic improvement.

STOCK IMPROVEMENT

Many of the above mentioned subspecies and ecotypes of Apis cerana are at present not economically viable. Therefore selection and breeding programmes to produce a bee suitable for intensive management is required. To achieve stock improvement, different Apis cerana subspecies and ecotypes should be accumulated at a central location and superior genotypes be identified. Another important pre-requisite for stock improvement is to evolve efficient queen rearing for Apis cerana and also establish isolated mating stations for pure line breeding. The latter is essential because instrumental insemination in Apis cerana has unexpectedly turned out to be a difficult task due to very low volumes of semen ejaculated by drones.

During the course of evolution, Apis cerana has developed certain behavioural characteristics such as frequent absconding and swarming which are essential for the survival of colonies but undesirable from a beekeeping point of view.

Part of this paper was delivered by the author as Chairperson and Organiser of the Sljmposium entitled Apis cerana and other honey bees of Apidae, during the XIX International Congress of Entomology, Beijing, China 1992.