SSC Stenographer 2025 PYQ — Question 44

SSC Stenographer - 06 Aug 2025 - Shift 3 • General Awareness • Q44

High honey yield and gentle behaviour in bees for commercial beekeeping can be achieved through one of the following methods: 

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4: Introducing Italian bees that collect more honey and remain in hives longer.

Detailed Analysis & Solution

Commercial beekeeping (Apiculture) focuses on maximizing honey production while ensuring that the bees are easy to manage. To achieve this, specific breeds are chosen based on their biological traits.

The Italian Bee (Apis mellifera): This species is widely preferred in commercial apiculture across India and the world for several reasons:

High Honey Yield: They are extremely efficient foragers and have a high capacity for collecting nectar.

Gentle Behavior: Unlike many wild species (such as the aggressive Apis dorsata or Rock Bee), Italian bees are known for their docility, making them safer for beekeepers to handle.

Hiving Traits: They tend to stay in the same hive for long periods and do not swarm or abscond (leave the hive) easily, which is crucial for consistent commercial production.

Potential Competition Questions

Q1. What is the scientific term for the rearing of honeybees?

Answer: Apiculture

Q2. Which of the following is a byproduct of beekeeping used in cosmetics and polishes?

Answer: Beeswax