The dwarf honeybee, A. florea generally builds single open nests on branches or twigs of shrubs, hedges, small trees, piles of dried sticks, chimneys, etc. They were abundant in a variety of bushy plants ranging from herbs to trees (Figure 1). A. florea colonies were found on herbs, shrubs, and small trees in the plains of South Karnataka (Figure 2). Surprisingly, a greater number of colonies was harbored on shrubs. Nevertheless, about 78%, of colonies preferred shrubs followed by trees (13%) and herbs (9%). Furthermore, they were nested on 15 plant species belonging to 12 families in the study region (Table 1). It was observed that the majority of the nesting plants were shrubs and greater number of colonies were observed on lantana (48.8%) followed by wild jujube (7.14%), needle bush (4.76%), bush palm (4.76 %) and coromandel boxwood (4.76%), A minimum percent (2.38%) of nests were found on Southwest thorn (Prosopis juliflora), Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus novae), Star jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum and Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Table 1

Sl. No.	Scientific name	Common name	Family	% Colonies present
1	Azima tetracantha	Needle bush	Salvadoraceae	4.76
2	Carissa carandas	Bengal currant	Apocynanceae	3.57
3	Canthium coromandalicum	Coromandel boxwood	Rubiaceace	4.76
4	Carissa spinarum	Bush plum	Apocynaceae	4.76
5	Citrus limon	Lemon	Rutaceae	2.41
6	Hibiscus rosa sinensis	Chinese hibiscus	Malvaceae	2.38
7	Jasminum multiflorum	Star jasmine	Oleaceae	2.38
8	Jatropha curcas	Barbados nut	Euphorbiaceae	3.57
9	Lantana camara	Lantana	Verbenaceae	48.8
10	Phyllanthus novae	Phyllanthus	Phyllanthaceae	2.38
11	Prosopis juliflora	Southwest thorn	Fabaceae	2.38
12	Punica granatum	Pomegranate	Lythraceae	3.57
13	Scutia myrtina	Cat thorn	Rhamnaceae	3.57
14	Ziziphus maurtiana	Indian cherry	Rhamnaceae	3.57
15	Ziziphus oenoplia	Wild jujube	Rhamnaceae	7.14

Table 2 shows the nesting pattern of A. florea on thorny shrubs. The observation showed that the highest percent (61.37%) colonies were recorded on Lantana (Lantana camara), followed by wild jujube (Ziziphus oenoplia) (8.69%), Needle bush (Azima tetracantha) (5.79%), bush plum (Carissa spinarum) (5.79%), Indian cherry (Ziziphus maurtiana) (5.34%), 4.34% each on cat thorn, lemon, and acacia.

A. florea colonies construct combs on branches of shrubs and small trees, hedges, house chimneys, empty caves, and even piles of dried sticks in the plains of South Karnataka. Despite the availability of a diversity of nesting structures, they were found in large numbers on shrubs. The shrubs which are generally bushy attract A. florea for nesting by providing suitable nesting twigs and an adequate amount of shade during the day time. The preference for these species may be due to their robust branches and dense foliage, which could protect the colony from natural enemies and adverse environmental conditions. Our findings are in agreement with the observations of Kumar and Kumar Kumar and Kumar (2014) who found a greater number of A. florea colonies on shrubs. The favored nest sites have one surface of the comb exposed to direct sunlight for several hours a day (Whitcombe, 1984).

Among the shrubs, A. florea potentially selected thorny shrubs in greater numbers. Furthermore, its nests were predominant on a thorny shrub, the lantana, commonly known as wild sage. Lantana camara is a low, erect, or sub– scandent woody perennial shrub with stout recurved prickles and a strong odour of black currants. Nesting in low, dense branches and thorny shrubs may help defend the colony from predators and conserve energy during foraging (Thapa, 2001). The selection of thorny shrubs for nesting in greater numbers would be due to the protection of colonies from pests and predators. This is likely advantageous, given that A. florea typically forages on small flowers and weeds, particularly those with low nectar content. Apparently, our study proves that lantana is a potential nesting plant of A. florea in the plains of South Karnataka, India.