Taxonomic study of Apis cerana (Fabricius, 1793), collected from Prunus persica (L.) Stokes flowers from different areas of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Apis cerana is an important insect pollinator of Prunus persica plant and samples were collected from eleven localities of Himachal Pradesh i.e. Mashobra (2146 m), Summer Hill (2100 m), Naldera (1887 m), Jatoli (1464 m), Kandaghat (1425 m), Jaladi (508 m), Hamirpur (786 m), Gheori (786 m), Bathra (503 m), Bilaspur (673 m) and Rajgarh (1555 m). During present investigation, the samples of Apis cerana was identified on the basis of morphological features, wing venation and external genitalia. Study of morphological variations, wing venation and genitalia of insects help in identify the relationship between morphology, and ecology and also provide the information about their evolution. The taxonomic and morphological features of insects helpful in their classification, proper identification and conservation of many endemic insect species.