First Report on Hunting Behavior of Migratory Oriental Honey-Buzzard (Pernis Ptilorhynchus Orientalis) Towards Migratory Giant Honeybee (Apis Dorsata Dorsata) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Java Island, Indonesia

Abstract

Both Migratory Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis) and migratory giant honeybee (Apis dorsata dorsata) can be found in South-east Asia. The Oriental Honey-buzzard is the main predator of the giant honeybee, prey upon its honeycomb, larvae, and honey. Its existence always follows the migration of the giant honeybee. They stay on Java island during the migratory season. The giant honeybee lives in a large colony and has a powerful sting that is useful for defence against its predators. The bee is among the most dangerous animals since its threatening defensive behavior causes severe impact on the eagle and is even frequently fatal for human beings. Data collections on hunting behavior of the Oriental Honey-buzzard were based on irregular observations and interviews between the year 2003 to 2019. We categorized five hunting behaviors during data collections: flying orientation around the bee’s nest, attack on living nest, failure to collect the living nest, preying upon the newly empty nest, and transferring attack of the angry bee to people nearby. The safest hunting for the Oriental Honey-buzzard is to prey upon newly empty nest left by the honeybee. When the nest was still occupied by the bee colonies, the eagle should develop a strategy to avoid and reduce the risk of being attacked. It sometimes transfers the attack to people nearby.

Diversity, Distribution, Nesting, and Foraging Behavior of Stingless Bees and Recent Meliponiculture in Indonesia

“…The predators can distinguish the bee comb to contain young stages (larvae and pupae), honey, bee pollen, and wax. The comb is a nutritious foraging target of animal predators including protected endemic animals of honey bear (Heliarctos malayanus), orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), and other animals [56].…”

Sebaran dan Karakter Morfologi Lebah Madu Hutan Apis dorsata (F.) di Pulau Sermata Kabupaten Maluku Barat Daya

“…Sarang tersebut merupakan sarang persinggahan untuk mencari wilayah baru atau habitat baru untuk persarangan tahunan, walaupun posisi sarang berada di dekat perkebunan masyarakat. Kahono et al (1999) mengatakan bahwa sarang A. dorsata terletak pada ketinggian dibawah 10 m dari permukaan tanah selama jangka waktu dua tahun. Pada desa sampel ditemukan sisiran sarang A. dorsata juga terdapat di tempat terbuka, menggantung pada tebing batu dan dahan pohon-pohon yang besar seperti pohon salawaku dan pohon beringin setinggi lebih dari 10 m diatas permukaan tanah, letak sisiran sarang Apis dorsata berdekatan antara satu dengan alinnya, pada 1 pohon dapat ditemukan puluhan koloni.…”

THE BIOACTIVE CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF HONEY BEEHIVES (Apis dorsata BINGHAMI) FROM THE BOGANI NANI WARTABONE BOLAANG MONGONDOW NATIONAL PLANT

“…The nests of A. dorsata usually hang on the branches of large trees and cluster on one tree with the number reaching tens to hundreds of nests (Kahono et al, 1999;Hadisoesilo 2001;Hepburn and Radloff 2011;Mead 2013). In general, A. dorsata tends to like the habitus of tall trees with relatively open branches and not too dense canopy as nesting sites (Starr et al, 1987;Mokosuli, et al, 2013), although it has been found that there is only one colony in one area.…”