We Need to Save the Bees – but Where Do We Begin?

A species is identified based on the type specimen that describes the characteristics of that species. So to zero in on the right names to apply to the species, scientists have to extensively study historical specimens and Indian and international museums, he said.

To this end, Ascher co-organised the second Bangalore Meeting on Asian Bees, on March 1 and 2, along with V.V. Belavadi, Hemalatha Somanathan and Axel Brockmann.

The meeting invited national and international researchers working on Asian bees to discuss the state and future of bee research. Its goal was to build a network, intensify research on Asian bees and help produce a conservation strategy.