A MAGIC BEE TREE - HOME TO APIS-DORSATA

Seven species of honey bees are presently recognized in the genus Apis , of which four are indigenous to Thailand with the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as an exotic fifth species. The honey bees native to Thailand include the Asian hive bee, Apis cerana; the little or dwarf honey bee, Apis florea; the small honey bee, Apis andreniformis; and lastly, the giant honey bee, Apis dorsata These bee species are found over a wide range of ecosystems within Thailand, ranging from sea leve l to the top of Doi Inthanon mountain, the highest point in the countr y at 8,232 feet (2,576 m).