the rock bees

The bee, Apis dorsata, it is also known as the giant honey bee. It lives in southern and southeastern Asia, mainly in forested areas like the Terai of Nepal. It measures around 17–20 millimeters (0.7–0.8 in) long, but the largest Apis Dorsata bees are the bees living on Himalayan cliff, Apis dorsata laboriosa.

Apis dorsata is a defensive bee and has never been domesticated. Each colony consists of a single vertical comb (sometimes approaching a square metre) suspended from above, and the comb is typically covered by a dense mass of bees in several layers (see the picture above).

If they are disturbed, they will adopt a defensive behavior known as defense waving. Bees in the outer layer thrust their abdomens ninety degrees in an upward direction and shake them in a synchronous way. This may be accompanied by stroking of the wings. The signal is transmitted to nearby working bees, that will also adopt the posture, thus creating a visible — and audible — “ripple” effect across the face of the comb, in an almost identical manner to an audience wave at a crowded stadium. It’s a warning sign!