The southern part of India, especially Karnataka’s river basin ecosystems, supports several native bee species.
1. Indian Honey Bee (Apis cerana indica)
Commonly domesticated
Medium-sized colonies
Excellent pollinators of fruit crops and vegetables
Produce high-quality medicinal honey
These bees are well adapted to tropical climates and are vital for small-scale farming.
2. Rock Bee (Apis dorsata)
Large wild bee species
Build massive open hives on tall trees and cliffs
Produce large quantities of forest honey
Critical pollinators for wild forest trees
Rock bees are essential for forest biodiversity in the Cauvery basin.
3. Little Bee (Apis florea)
Smaller colonies
Build small exposed combs
Highly active pollinators of shrubs and wild plants
Important for biodiversity in rural landscapes
4. Stingless Bees (Trigona species)
Very small, non-aggressive
Produce small quantities of highly medicinal honey
Exceptional pollinators of native flowering plants
Important in agroforestry systems
Stingless bees are especially valuable in natural farming and biodiversity conservation.





