They are typically around 17–20 mm (0.7–0.8 in) long and nests are mainly built in exposed places far off the ground, like on tree limbs, under cliff overhangs, and under buildings.

[2] Michael S. Engel identified the following subspecies:[3] Recent research has removed laboriosa from inclusion within A. dorsata, as a separate species, with supporting evidence including a significant region of sympatry.

[4] A. laboriosa is hardly distinct morphologically from the nominate subspecies of dorsata (darker abdomen, longer thoracic hair) but has different housekeeping and swarming behavior, allowing it to survive at high altitudes.

In addition, little gene flow has occurred between A. dorsata and A. laboriosa for millions of years; accordingly, some authors have previously classified it as a distinct species.

The limits of their ranges in Indochina and the possible distinctness of the geographically distant Philippines population require more study.

[7] The greatest populations of Apis dorsata are found in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

[8] There are two methods of reproductive swarming in which Apis dorsata initiates new colonies, which usually occurs in October or November.

[12] Colonies decline during the rainy and summer seasons because of the instability of foraging sources due to climate change.

[14] Apis dorsata exhibit high degrees of polyandry, with many drones mating with the queen.

In fact, Apis dorsata fabricius is known to have the highest levels of polyandry among all social insects.

[16] Apis dorsata produces silent dances, which usually involve visual cues during the day.

They additionally produce sound with their dances in the nighttime, as they are the only bees of its genus that exhibit nocturnal foraging activity.

[18] Since Apis dorsata is known for its highly polyandrous activity, these bees exhibit a large number of colonies in close proximity to each other.

Higher than expected genetic links may exist among colonies because they migrate together during their long distance migratory routes to the same nesting sites in the new location.

[9] Due to their long distance migratory patterns, the bees cause enough gene flow to occur between the colonies of different aggregations.

Apis dorsata is better than many of its relatives at avoiding drifting, an event when bees return to the wrong colonies after foraging.

[11] Apis dorsata tends to form dense aggregations, contributing to the high nest fidelity and recognition amongst these bees.

The high fidelity to the natal nests also leads to the aggressive behavior of Apis dorsata bees.

[7] Although rarely seen, some experimental evidence has shown that Apis dorsata exhibits a specialized grooming behavior as a defense mechanism to remove parasites.

[19] Since the nests of Apis dorsata are fairly exposed and accessible to predators, these giant honeybees exhibit strong and aggressive defense strategies.

[20] Another method Apis dorsata utilizes against wasps is referred to as “shimmering” behavior or "defense waving".

The signal is transmitted to nearby workers that also adopt the posture, thus creating a visible — and audible — "ripple" effect across the face of the comb, in an almost identical manner to an audience wave at a crowded stadium.

[22] In some Melaleuca forests of southern Vietnam, people use a traditional method of collecting honey and wax from A. dorsata colonies.

[24] According to Vietnamese sociologists, in the early 19th century, honey hunting or raftering was the most important occupation of the people who lived in the Melaleuca forest swamp.

Beeswax was used to pay the tax and for making candles, and was sold to visiting ships from Hainan, China.