Table 1 Comparison of biological differences between A. cerana and A. mellifera

Aria of origin

Southeast Asia

Africa or Western Asia

Body mass

43.8 mm

77.2 mm

[17]

Wing length (worker)

7.54 ± 1.14 mm

9.32 ± 0.16 mm

[18]

Wing beat frequencies (worker)

306 beats/s

235 beats/s

Nest cavity volume

10-15 liters in general

35 liters,

[19]

Comb structure

Uneven round

Square

Dismantling of old comb

Yes

No

[4]

Pore in the drone cell

Yes

No

[20]

Flight pattern

Rapid, hasty, and unpredictably zig-zag

Steady and clumsy

[4]

Homing speed (~50 m)

192 sec

295 sec

[21]

Foraging range

Maximum 1500 m to 2500 m

Average 1650 m, maximum 6 km

[22]

Active foraging time and temperature range

9 am and 11.30 am/15.5 - 21°C

11 am and 1 pm/21–25°C

[23]

Flower preference

Wide range of flowers, including wild plants

Mainly on Trifolium and Brasscia

[24]

Pollination

Larger pollen collector

Smaller pollen collector (compared to A. cerana)

[10]

Robbing defense

Weak

Strong

[10]

Frequencies of absconding

Often (heavily depends on condition)

Rarely (heavily depends on condition)

[8]

Collecting propolis

No

Yes

[4]

Defense to wasps

Forming a ball with worker

Individual

[11, 12]

Varroa mite resistance

Yes

No

[13]

Ventilation direction

Head toward outside

Head toward entrance

[7, 12]

Royal jelly production rate

3.21 ± 0.43 g

80.5 ± 7.83 g

[23]

Rate of stinging

Low

High

[4]