Correct option is B
The correct answer is option (2): Apis dorsata.
Explanation:
Apis dorsata, commonly known as the giant honeybee, is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is one of the largest species of honeybees and is known for building large, exposed nests on tree branches or cliffs. These bees are wild and are not typically kept in hives, unlike the Apis mellifera, which is the most commonly domesticated honeybee species worldwide.
Apis mellifera (option 1), known as the Western honeybee, is not native to the Indian subcontinent. It was introduced from Europe and is now widespread globally, but it is not indigenous to the region.
Apis koschevnikovi (option 3) is native to Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and surrounding areas, and not specifically to the Indian subcontinent.
Apis nigrocincta (option 4) is native to the Philippines and surrounding areas, but it is not native to the Indian subcontinent.
Additional Information:
Apis dorsata is a wild honeybee species that plays a vital role in the pollination of plants and trees. It is important in traditional honey collection in parts of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. These bees build their hives in high, inaccessible places such as tall trees or cliffs.
The Apis mellifera species, although not native to the Indian subcontinent, has become one of the most widely used species in apiculture worldwide due to its high honey production and adaptability to different climates.
