A review of Apis mellifera caucasica (Hym., Apidae): History, taxonomy and distribution

This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article Janashia, Irakli, Westover, Layne, Japoshvili, George (2025): A review of Apis mellifera caucasica (Hym., Apidae): History, taxonomy and distribution. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 11 (2): 455-468, DOI: 10.61186/jibs.11.2.455, URL: doi.org/10.61186/jibs.11.2.455 ABSTRACT. The taxonomic status and placement of the Caucasian honey bee (Apis mellifera caucasica Gorbachev, 1916) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) remains puzzling, largely based on outdated investigations.

After reviewing available scientific sources, we conclude that initially there was a confusing mismatch between the traditional geographical understanding of the Caucasus and the actual distribution of A. m. caucasica. Insufficient geographic sampling of honeybees across the Caucasus, a statistically inadequate number of studied samples, and incomplete research methodology are major drawbacks of previous studies. Morphometric reference data derived from an extremely limited number of samples still is in use as a standard for the identification of A. m. caucasica.