Time of drone flight in four honey bee species in south-eastern Thailand

SUMMARYAt Chanthaburi, Thailand, four species of Apis, A. andreniformis, A. florea, A. cerana and A. dorsata, are sympatric. Observations were carried out on three wild colonies of each species on various days in February 1992. The daily drone flight periods were only partially specific: A. andreniformis from 12.15 h to 13.45 h; A. florea from 14.00 h to 16.45 h; A. cerana from 15.15 h to 17.30 h; and A dorsata from 18.15 h to 18.45 h. The significance of these partially separate drone flight periods is discussed in terms of both reproductive isolation and evolution.