Long-Term Observations of Interactions Between Two Honeybee Species Following Close-Range Swarming at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto

This study documents interactions between the native Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica) and the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) in an urban temple environment in Kyoto, Japan. Japan represents one of the few regions where the native honeybee A. cerana japonica coexists with the introduced A. mellifera. In many other regions, A. mellifera is the only honeybee species present, limiting opportunities to observe interspecific interactions. In 2025, a small swarm of A. mellifera occupied a hive installed within the grounds of Kennin-ji Temple. The hive had originally been prepared as a waiting box for A. cerana japonica. Shortly after colony establishment, more than ten individuals of A. cerana japonica repeatedly entered and exited the hive for approximately two weeks. During this coexistence period, both species visited the same feeding station and were observed engaging in close-contact behaviors, including grooming and proboscis contact. Individuals of A. cerana japonica were also observed near waggle dance activity of A. mellifera. Defensive reactions to hornets were observed in both species. These observations document interspecific behavioral interactions between two honeybee species sharing the same urban environment. This version includes minor revisions based on expert feedback, including terminology refinement, improved description of the study site, and clarification of observation periods.