Quest for the Himalayan Giant Honey Bee

In the heart of Nagaland, where rolling hills embrace the skies, Dzükou Valley unfolds a panorama of breathtaking beauty. On one of the coldest days of October 2021, three friends and I embarked on a journey from Viswema, venturing towards Dzükou Valley in pursuit of the rare and majestic Himalayan giant honey bee (Apis laboriosa). As someone working on the insect order Hymenopterans, I’ve always been fascinated by this particular bee, though I’d never seen a live one. That was the motivation for this trek.

Cradled by the Japfu and Senapati mountain ranges, this “Valley of Flowers of the Northeast” boasts a diverse range of endemic and rare floral species like the Dzükou lily, and paints the landscape with vibrant hues during the blooming season. Beyond its floral spectacle, the valley harbours a rich tapestry of biodiversity with various animals uniquely adapted to the terrain. This ecological haven is a habitat for diverse bird species (at least 207), butterflies, amphibians (notably the endemic Dzükou Valley horned frog (Megophrys dzukou) and other small mammals, which create a delicate yet robust ecosystem.

The trek to Dzükou Valley is not for the fainthearted, as the winding trails pass through dense shrub cover and steep ascents. The initial half of the trek required finding our path and climbing uphill. Later, we walked carefully on a narrow path along the valley slope. All along, my eyes constantly searched for the bee, and every buzzing sound aroused my curiosity. But the bee was nowhere to be found. As the afternoon unfolded, we reached the valley, an amphitheatre of nature’s grandeur. With the sun casting its golden glow on the landscape, we set up camp and patiently awaited for the bees to arrive. Despite being unable to spot them on day one, my optimism remained intact. As the sun drenched the surroundings on day two, the bees were out as anticipated. It was a sight to behold, witnessing the distinctive A. laboriosa in action, buzzing through the air as they embarked on foraging activities.

Himalayan giant honey bees, aka the Himalayan cliff bees, thrive in altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 metres. They are distinct from their close relative, the rock bee or giant honeybee (Apis dorsata). While both species share the characteristic large size typical of giant honeybees, A. laboriosa are specifically adapted to the high-altitude environments of the Himalayas. Their colonies are strategically positioned on sheer cliffs of the Himalayan foothills, often on south-facing surfaces. This positioning is believed to be an adaptation to maximise exposure to sunlight, aiding in temperature regulation within the hive, especially in the colder mountainous regions. It distinguishes them from other honeybees like rock bees, who tend to build exposed nests in trees, a behaviour more typical of lowland honeybees. 

A typical Himalayan giant honey bee colony consists of a queen (sole fertile female in the colony), workers (all sterile females), and drones (all males). Like other honeybee species, these bees exhibit eusocial behaviour. Eusociality in Hymenopteran bees refers to a complex social structure which includes: cooperative brood care (individuals care for offspring not their own), reproductive division of labour (worker, queen, and drones), and overlapping generations (where parents and offspring coexist and work together). This level of social organisation allows for efficient division of labour, enhanced survival, and increased reproductive success within the colony.

Worker bees who collectively nurture the brood also attend to the queen. While workers don’t typically lay eggs, they play a pivotal role in maintaining the colony’s functionality. A. laboriosa queens display impressive reproductive capabilities, generating multiple generations of workers annually. In a single colony, thousands of workers engage in essential tasks, including tending to the queen and brood, producing wax for nest construction and maintenance, and foraging for pollen and nectar, which are transformed into food products for the colony. With their substantial body size and impressive wingspan, these workers demonstrate an extraordinary foraging range, covering distances up to 4 km from the hive.

Their life cycle involves complete metamorphosis, progressing from egg to larva, pupa, and adult. However, details of their development remain largely unknown due to the inaccessibility of their nests for study. The life cycle begins with the queen laying eggs in wax cells. Upon eclosion (the process of emerging out of the egg), larvae rely on worker bees for nourishment. Worker bees monitor the larval cells closely, assessing the larvae’s growth and development. Larvae nearing the pupation stage exhibit specific behaviours, including reduced movement, changes in posture or chemical cues in the form of pheromone emissions that signal their readiness to undergo metamorphosis. Upon detecting these signals, worker bees collaborate to cap the larval cell with wax, sealing the developing pupa inside. The capping process is crucial in protecting the pupa and providing a controlled environment for its development. Worker bees use their mandibles to shape and mould the wax into a protective covering, ensuring that the pupa is safely enclosed until it emerges as an adult bee. The pupal stage, characterised by non-feeding growth, lasts 11 days. Upon reaching adulthood, the fully formed bee emerges from the capped cell, joining its counterparts in the colony’s collaborative efforts. 

Himalayan giant honey bees construct their nests as a substantial single comb (reminiscent of rock bees) uniquely exposed on all sides. Typically located on steep, rocky cliffs beneath overhanging ledges, these nests can have dimensions reaching up to 1.5 m in length and 1 m in width (or even larger). The nesting elevation distinguishes them from rock bees, which usually nest at lower altitudes.

Himalayan giant honey bees exhibit a unique seasonal migration pattern, ascending to higher altitudes (2,500-3,500 m) from May to October and descending to lower altitudes (1,200 m) as temperatures cool. During this period, the hives remain unoccupied for several months until the bees return to their nesting sites in late January. Abandoned hives typically deteriorate over time due to damage from weather, pests, and microbial growth. The hive structure breaks down, and any remaining resources, such as wax and honey, are usually scavenged by other organisms. From late November to early January, the bees cluster on the forest floor without a nest, seeking warmth until early spring. In late January, they return to mid-level nesting sites, where they remain until summer, after which they return to their high-altitude nesting sites. Nest placement preferences are unique; they choose lighter-coloured rocks for nesting, suggesting better protection and thermoregulation. Nesting sites are typically within 20-200 m of major water sources.

The honey from the Himalayan giant honey bee is called “mad honey”, a term derived from the peculiar effects it can induce in humans consuming it. The honey is associated with psychoactive or hallucinogenic effects and altered states of consciousness. These effects are attributed to the presence of grayanotoxins (natural compounds found in certain plants the bees visit for nectar). In the case of A. laboriosa, these plants include various species of rhododendron, pieris, agarista, and kalmia (Ericaceae family). Grayanotoxins present in the nectar and pollen the bees collect transfer to the honey during production. A. laboriosa honey has a high moisture content and ferments rapidly. However, when these bees forage on nectar from plants lacking grayanotoxins, their honey will likely have a more conventional composition, lacking psychoactive effects.  

The significance of A. laboriosa in the lives of the Naga people is profound. Locals have mastered the delicate art of harvesting the honey, braving the treacherous cliffs to collect it as it holds a revered place in traditional Naga medicine. Cliffside honey is not merely a sweet delight but a source of healing. However, if not managed sustainably, traditional honey-hunting practices can threaten A. laboriosa populations. Overharvesting, habitat loss, and environmental changes can impact the overall health of the colonies. As a result, there is an increasing need for sustainable harvesting practices and the conservation of these vital pollinators in Nagaland. Balancing tradition with conservation efforts becomes crucial for the continued well-being of both the ethnic communities and the remarkable Himalayan giant honey bee. As their habitat is limited by altitude, these bees are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. The delicate balance that sustains these remarkable creatures is potentially under threat, demanding a collective effort to preserve a species and a cultural and ecological heritage.

For me, encountering Himalayan giant honey bees was a moment of awe — the culmination of a journey that started with a single step in Viswema and led to the dizzying heights of Dzükou.