Choose the species of honey bee that is most commonly found in Indian subcontinent

Options

A. Apis mellifera
B. Apis dorsata
C. Apis florea
D. Apis indica

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Options**: The question provides four species of honey bees to choose from:
- Apis mellifera
- Apis dorsetta
- Apis florea
- Apis indica

2. **Analyze Each Option**:
- **Apis mellifera**: Known as the western honey bee, it is primarily found in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Therefore, it is not commonly found in the Indian subcontinent.
- **Apis dorsetta**: This species is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with significant populations in countries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
- **Apis florea**: This species is found in Southeastern Asian countries such as Thailand, Iran, Oman, and Cambodia, but it is not predominant in the Indian subcontinent.
- **Apis indica**: This is a subspecies of the Asiatic honeybee and is one of the predominant species in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is known for being non-aggressive and is ideal for beekeeping.

3. **Determine the Most Common Species**:
- Among the options, Apis indica is the most commonly found species in the Indian subcontinent. It is widely domesticated and adapted to the region.

4. **Conclusion**: The species of honey bee that is most commonly found in the Indian subcontinent is **Apis indica**.

### Final Answer:
**Apis indica**

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