Giant honey bee colony of Apis dorsata on an exposed tree branch, in Delhi

From the archive record

A colony of Giant Honey Bees (also known as Rock Bees or Apis dorsata) at Wilderness Orchard in New Delhi, India. This species is native to tropical and subtropical regions across South and Southeast Asia. Unlike cavity-nesting honey bees, Apis dorsata builds a single large exposed comb suspended from tree branches, cliffs, or other elevated structures. The outer surface of the colony is covered by a dense layer of worker bees known as a "bee curtain." This living layer helps regulate temperature within the colony and provides protection against predators and environmental conditions.