Apis dorsata F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony residency: duration and seasonality in Northern Thailand

The giant honey bee, Apis dorsata F., is known for its seasonal colony migrations. While many authors have studied colony seasonal migration patterns, there is a gap in understanding the specific durations of individual colony residencies at their nesting sites. Giant honey bee colony-founding swarm arrivals and colony departures were observed at two A. dorsata nesting aggregation sites in metropolitan Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Seventy colony-founding swarm arrivals and 53 colony departures were recorded. A general pattern of swarm arrival took place in the dry winter period of November through March. Mature colonies departed primarily during the wet season, May through September, with a second peak of colony departures at the beginning of the dry season. Colony residency times ranged from 13 to 419 days. The average residency for a mature colony (residing > 120 days) was 204 ± 81 days. This research has the potential to significantly contribute to the broader field of bee ecology and conservation initiatives. The findings illuminate the broad ecosystem dynamics influenced by the behavioral patterns of this bee species.