Meet Laywan or Asian Honey Bee!
Also known as Ligwan in Bisaya or Alig in Kankanaey, the Asian honey bee or Apis cerana does what bees do best: they maintain biodiversity of flowering plants and maintain ecosystem functions.
Less bees = less pollination, which can lead to local extinction of plants, a decline in fruit and seed-eating animals, vegetation loss, and eventually, the loss of a healthy ecosystem!
In one study Laywan were observed pollinating coconut, narra, corn, sampaloc, and many other plants (AC Tilde 2003).
Next time you eat a vegetable, sit under a tree, or appreciate a flower, thank Laywan and friends!
MORE INSECTS!
- Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana)
- Firefly (Pteroptyx sp. etc…)
- Lime Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio demoleus)
- Philippine laughing cicada (Psithyristria ridibunda)
- Romblonella coryae ant