Apidologie 25 (1994) 249-264
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19940211

Drones of Apis dorsata (Fabricius 1793) congregate under the canopy of tall emergent trees in Borneo

N. Koeniger^a, G. Koeniger^a, S. Tingek^b, A. Kalitu^b and M. Mardan<sup>c

a</sup>  Institut für Bienenkunde (Polytechnische Gesellschaft), Fachbereich Biologie der JW Goethe-Universität Frankfurt a M, Karl-von-Frisch-Weg 2, 61440 Oberursel, Germany
^b  Agricultural Research Station Tenom, PO Box 197, 89908 Tenom, Sabah, Malaysia
^c  Dept Plant Protection, University Pertanian Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract - The drones of Apis dorsata performed their mating flights at dusk. They took off simultaneously from the colonies. The flying drones produced a distinct hum which was clearly audible. By following this flight noise on several consecutive days, a drone congregation area (DCA) was located under the canopy of a high emergent tree. There, the drone's hum was regularly heard at the expected time and several A dorsata drones were caught. Under the canopy the drones were attracted to a queen dummy impregnated with queen pheromone. Dummies outside the canopy or above the tree did not attract any drones. Further, drone attractivity showed a clear maximum several meters below the canopy. Under the canopy of other emergent tall trees three more DCAs were detected. At another place one observation on a slope of a mountain resulted in the detection of a DCA downhill in the valley. No drones were found under tall trees on the slope. In A mellifera and A cerana the factors that cause the drones to congregate at a distinct place are still unknown. So, the clear feature of the A dorsata DCA in Borneo involving a landmark is unique. Observations from other parts of the extended natural distribution of A dorsata in Asia are required to confirm whether the drones of this species generally congregate under the canopy of emergent tall trees.

Key words: reproduction / flight / A dorsata / Borneo / drone congregation area