Young Apis florea bees in a mango tree

Apis florea nest, Thailand. The nest is 20 cm in diameter and contains approximately 3600 cells on each side. The reflective substance on the branch either side of the nest is propolis which acts as a sticky and chemically repellent barrier to protect the nest from ants, particularly weaver ants(Oecophylla smaragdina).The curtain of bees covering the comb is 3–4 bees thick (~10 mm).