Insecta Class Overview

Excretion and Anatomy of Insects

• Excretion occurs via green glands or Malpighian tubules.
• Insects typically exhibit sexual dimorphism with separate sexes.
• Internal fertilization and developmental metamorphosis characterized insect reproduction.
• Class: Insecta (Hexapoda) - air-breathing, predominantly terrestrial, some aerial, rarely aquatic.
• Body division into three main parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
• Head features various mouthparts for chewing, biting, piercing, sucking, siphoning, or sponging.
• Thorax consists of segments with a pair of jointed legs and two pairs of wings.
• Abdomen composed of 7-11 segments; respiration facilitated by tracheae.

Sub-class Pterygota and Division Endopterygota

• Sub-class Pterygota: wings typically present; abdomen lacks appendages except for genitalia and cerci.
• Metamorphosis can be simple or complex.
• Division Endopterygota: wings develop internally and undergo complete metamorphosis, including a pupal stage.

Order Hymenoptera

• Characterized by social and parasitic insects.
• Modified mouthparts for biting and sucking; two pairs of wings with reduced veins.
• Defense mechanisms primarily through stings; workers possess stings, while drones do not.
• Queen honey bee has a vestigial sting.
• Larvae are legless (apodus) with exarate pupae (legs not appressed).

Honey Bees: A Historical Perspective

• Honey bees have been associated with humans since prehistoric times, documented in ancient texts like the Vedas, Ramayana, and Quran.
• Their significance in ancient civilizations is reflected in art, coins, and burial sites.
• Used strategically in warfare, honey bee swarms historically hindered enemy movements during WWI in Belgium.
• Bee venom recognized for its medicinal properties, aiding in pain relief and treatment for rheumatism and arthritis.

Beekeeping Development

• Primitive beekeeping methods have existed globally; advancements began with the movable frame hive invented in 1851 by Rev. L.L. Langstroth.
• Introduction of modern beekeeping to India occurred in Bengal (1882) and Punjab (1883).
• Systematic beekeeping initiatives began in Pusa, Delhi (1907-1919), expanding to the South in 1911.
• By 1928, the Royal Commission on Agriculture recommended beekeeping development as a cottage industry, promoting its growth in India.

Systematic Classification of Honey Bees

• Phylum: Arthropoda - includes jointed-legged, segmented animals with a chitinous exoskeleton.
• Open blood vascular system; respiration via gills, tracheae, or book lungs.
• Super-family: Apoidea - encompasses social bees and caste differentiation; female antennae have 12 segments, males 13.
• Family: Apidae - moderate-sized bees, with females collecting pollen in specialized baskets.
• Sub-family: Apinae - minute to moderate-sized bees living in large eusocial colonies.
• Tribe: Apini - true or stinging honey bees, including species introduced globally.

Honey Bee Species

• Genus: Apis - includes notable species such as A. dorsata, A. florea, and A. cerana indica.
• A. dorsata produces the highest honey yield among Indian species.
• A. indica (Indian Hive Bee) prefers dark nesting sites and is adapted to artificial hives.
• A. florea (Little Bee) builds small combs in open areas and has a limited altitude range.

Honey Bees' Habits and Habitat

• Highly organized social insects, active year-round but exhibit limited activity in winter.
• Springtime is crucial for brood rearing and honey collection.
• Colonies communicate through sign language and exhibit polymorphism.
• Major honey-producing species, like Sarang bees, yield significant quantities of honey (up to 25 kg per comb) and support extensive pollination efforts.
• A. indica is adaptable for beekeeping; A. florea remains more spontaneous in nesting behavior.