Foraging Behaviour Of Indian Honey Bee (Apis Cerena Indica Fab.) In Bee Pasturaging Plants At Annamalainagar Eco System

Research Article
Pushpalatha S and Hariprasad Y
DOI: 
xxx-xxxxx-xxxx
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
Pollination, foraging time, crop yield enhancement, nectar- pollen yielding plant
Abstract: 

Heneybees and flowering plants have been considered as an example for co-evolution and mutualism. Heneybees need flowering plants for nectar and pollen as source of food and flowering plants need honeybees for pollination. A honey bee is one of the most fascinating and marvelous insect whose usefulness is known to the mankind since the prehistoric times. Honey harvesting dates back to 7000 B.C. The present investigation was carried out during March, 2009 – 2013 at the Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu. The bee hives along with colonies were brought from Marthandam and YMCA (Young Men Christian Association). Installing bee colonies were done during January and February months. Colonies were installed near mango tree. By using coconut shells / plastic containers were filled with honey solution or honey syrup. These were used to feed the honey bee. Honeybees gathered nectar and pollen from plants as their food. The bees, however did not visit all the plants since they have their own floral preference depending upon the availability of different amounts of nectar and pollen. The flora of an area in characteristics of its agro-climatic conditions varies from place to place. During morning time, the foraging activities of bees were highly active when compared to noon.