2019, Issue 7, Volume 11

FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF STINGLESS BEE, TETRAGONULA IRIDIPENNIS (HYMENOPTERA –APIDAE) IN BROCCOLI FLOWERS IN AMBIKAPUR OF CHHATTISGARH

G.P. Painkra*

All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey Bees and Pollinators

IGKV, Department of Entomology, RMD College of Agriculture & Research Station, Ambikapur -497001 (Chhattisgarh) India

Received-25.06.2019, Revised-17.07.2019

Abstract: The observation was undertaken at Rajmohini Devi College of Agriculture and Research Station, Ambikapur of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishavidyalaya Raipur (C.G.) during 2018-19 to study the foraging activity of stingless bee on broccoli flowers at five spots, five minutes per square meter at different hours of the day from 8AM to 5PM. The foraging activity was recorded highest in between 10-11AM ( 7.82 bee/5min/m2/day) followed by in between 11-12 (4.91 bee/5min/m2/day) noon and between 9-10 AM ( 4.00 bee/5min/m2/day) and decreased in between 1-2PM ( 1.88 bee/5min/m2/day), 2-3 PM (1.42 bee/5min/m2/day) and increased between 3-4 PM(2.22 bee/5min/m2/day). However, the lowest activity was recorded in between 4-5 PM (1.00 bee/5min/m2/day).

Keywords: Broccoli flower, Foraging behavior, Stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis

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