Nesting requirements of the rock bee Apis dorsata in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

摘要: We estimated the nest densities of rock bee (Apis dorsata) within Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), Western Ghats, India, during January to June 2007. Randomly chosen five km long transects covering various habitat types spread across 5 protected areas, were walked by at least 3 persons including professional honey hunters. Variable width line transect method was used and all nests located on either side recorded their approximate distance assessed. The program 'DISTANCE' estimate densities. number cliff faces along line; a measure hunter pressure harvest intensity per 2 also recorded. There significant variation in between sites. Sathyamangalam area had highest due presence cliffs. This pressure. Conservation nesting habitats such as cliffs tall trees are important for maintaining viable populations this species.