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

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 of the transect line were recorded and their approximate distance to the transect line assessed. The program 'DISTANCE' was used to estimate nest densities. The number of cliff faces along the transect line; a measure of honey hunter pressure and harvest intensity per km(2) were also recorded. There was significant variation in nest densities between sites. Sathyamangalam area had the highest nest densities due to the presence of cliffs. This area also had the highest harvest intensity and honey hunter pressure. Conservation of nesting habitats such as cliffs and tall trees are important for maintaining viable populations of this important species.