scholarly journals Pollination efficiency of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Cosmos sulphureus (Asteraceae) capitula at Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-187
Author(s):  
Boris Kevin Maben Biroki ◽  
Fernand-Nestor Fohouo Tchuenguem

To study the foraging activity of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Cosmos sulphureus (Asteraceae) and to evaluate its impact on fruits yields, C. sulphureus capitula were observed on Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon) from September to November 2016 and from August to October 2017. Each year, observations were made every day, from 06.00 am to 6.00 pm on 540 capitula divided in four treatments: 120 capitula left in free polliniation, 120 capitula protected from insects ; 200 capitula protected, then uncovered, exclusively visited by A. mellifera and rebagged ; 100 capitula protected, then uncovered and rebagged without insect or any other organism visit. The foraging behaviour on A. mellifera capitula, its pollination efficiency, the fruiting rate, the percentage of mature achenes and the percentage of normal (well developed) achenes were evaluated. The results show that among 10 insect species recorded on C. sulphureus capitula after two seasons of observation, A. mellifera was the most represented with 95.57 % of 1128 visits. This bee harvested intensely nectar and pollen on C. sulphureus florets. The fruiting rate, the percentage of mature akenes and the percentage of normal achenes of treatments with unprotected capitula were significantly higher than those of treatments with capitula protected from insects. Through the pollination efficiency of a single capitule visit, A. mellifera increased the fruiting rate, the percentage of mature achenes and the percentage of normal achenes by 50.58 %, 14.37 % and 40.52 % respectively. The installation of A. mellifera colonies close to C. sulphureus fields is recommended to increase achenes and honey yields, as well as pollen production as a hive product.

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
HF Abou-Shaara

Foraging behaviour is one of the distinctive behaviours of honey bees, Apis mellifera. This behaviour is the link between the honey bee colony and the ambient environment. Therefore, various in-colony and out-colony factors have an impact on this behaviour, and many studies have been employed to investigate these factors. Foraging behaviour is not advantageous only for the colony and for plant pollination but also has other benefits. In contrast, some disadvantages have also been discovered to be linked with foraging activity. Practically speaking, the control over this behaviour is very important to maximize colony products as well as to increase other agricultural benefits. This paper presents a review on foraging activity including; the regulation of foraging tasks, factors impacting this behaviour, foraging preference, variations between subspecies, monitoring methods as well as the possible methods for controlling this behaviour. As concluded from this review, more work needs to be performed in order to elucidate certain aspects of foraging behaviour.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1073-1089
Author(s):  
Jean Mamoudou ◽  
Sidonie Fameni Topé ◽  
Emmanuel Basga ◽  
Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo

Most plant species require pollen transfer to produce fruits and set seeds. Although some insects visit flowers for nectar or pollen, not all flowering insects bring about pollination. To evaluate the impact of Apis mellifera Linnaeus on fruit and seed yields of Solanum nigrum Linnaeus, foraging and pollinating activities of worker bees were studied at Meskine in January 2019 and February 2020. The experiments were carried out on 540 flowers divided in four treatments: two treatments differentiated according to the presence or absence of protection of flowers regarding A. mellifera and other insect visits; the third with flowers protected and uncovered when they were opened, to allow A. mellifera visits and the fourth with flowers protected then uncorvered and reprotected without the visit of insects or any other organism. The foraging behaviour of A. mellifera on flowers, its efficiency pollination, the fruiting rate, the number of seeds per fruit and the percentage of normal seeds were evaluated. Results indicate that among 27 insect species recorded on flowers, A. mellifera ranked first accounting for for 34.16% of 2652 visits. This worker bee intensely harvested nectar and pollen. The mean foraging speed was 10.39 flowers / min. The mean abundance per 1000 flowers was 519.46. For the two years, throughout its pollination efficiency, A. mellifera increased the fruiting rate by 16.29%, as well as the percentage of normal seeds by 15.57%. Hence, the installation of honeybee colonies close to S. nigrum fields is recommended to improve fruit yields, seed quality, pollen as a hive product and honey production.


Author(s):  
issaya Kodji issaya ◽  
Beaudelaine Stephanie KENGNI ◽  
TOPE Sidonie FAMENI ◽  
FOHOUO Fernand-Nestor TCHUENGUEM

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of Amegilla calens bee on fruit and seed yields of G. hirsutum in an experimental field, in September 2018 and 2019. The experiments were carried out on 540 flowers divided in four treatments: 120 flowers accessible to all visitors; 120 flowers bagged to avoid all visits; 200 flowers protected and uncovered when they were opened, to allow A. calens visits; 100 flowers bagged then uncovered and rebagged without the visit of insects or any other organism. Bee’s daily rhythm of activity, its foraging behaviour on flowers, its pollination efficiency, the fruiting rate, the number of seeds per fruit and the percentage of normal seeds were evaluated. Among the 20 insect species recorded on G. hirsutum flowers, A. calens was the most frequent insect with 30.72 % of 655 visits. On flowers, individual bee intensely collected pollen and slightly harvested nectar. The mean duration of a visit per flower was 23.56 sec for pollen harvest and 13.68 sec for nectar collection. For the two years, through its pollination efficiency, A. calens increased the fruiting rate by 20.30 %, as well as the percentage of normal seeds by 32.39 %.


Author(s):  
M. M. Dhore

The present studies on diversity and foraging behaviour of insect pollinators on Murraya koenigii (L. )was carried out during March - April 2019 at Akot town situated in Akola district of Maharashtra. Ten insect species visited Murraya koenigii flowers viz. Five hymenopterans and five lepidopterons. This study revealed that hymenopterans were found to be the most dominant (97. 5%) flower visitors, followed by lepidopteron insects (2. 5%). Among these Apis florea, Apis cerana indica, and Apis dorsata were found to be the most frequent pollinators. The result on foraging behaviour of bees Apis florea started visiting Murrya koenigii flowers in early morning at 06. 00 hrs, Apis cerana indica at 6. 30 hrs and ceased their activity later in the evening. Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata , they started visiting the flowers from 7. 00hrs. Maximum foraging was by Apis florea (12 flowers /minute)followed by Apis cerana indica (10 flowers/minute )and Apis dorsata (9-10 flowers /minute). Time spent per flower was the maximum with lepidopteron (25 sec. /flower) followed by Moth (15 sec. /flower)


2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.F. Abou-Shaara

AbstractThere are various plants with potential feeding importance to honey bee, Apis mellifera, colonies as source of pollen, nectar or both. Selection of suitable regions for apiaries mainly depends on the availability of honey bee plants in the apiary region. Identifying honey bee plants in specific region is very essential for honey and pollen production from honey bee colonies. Lacking the information about the beneficial plants for honey bees including; plant name, flowering time and potential benefit to honey bee colonies could be considered as a limitation for beekeeping development. So far honey bee plants are not well studied in Egypt. This review paper presents potential honey bee plants in Egypt using the available publications. The studies on honey bee plants in Egypt were also reviewed. This work can be considered as a guide for beekeepers and researchers. Moreover, the presented plants here can be used in comparing honey bee plants of Egypt with other countries to get a better understanding of honey bee flora. More detailed investigations on honey bee plants are strongly required to be done at all Egyptian Governorates


1954 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Way

In British East Africa Oecophylla longinoda (Latr.) var. textor Santschi is locally common in the costal region. Inland it is absent from higher altitudes and from areas where there is a pronounced dry season.In Zanzibar Island, O. longinoda at least 89 species of trees and shurbs; the largest populations occur on the clove (Jambosa caryophyllus), Citrus spp., Bridelia micrantha and Canthium zanzibaricum.The nesting habits and colony composition of O. longinoda are such that one colony may spread over a number of adjacent trees; it contains only one gravid queen.Winged virgin sexual forms are released at the beginning of the wet seasons and new colonies are initiated by a single queen, who uses her food reserves to bring the first batch of brood to maturity.In Zanzibzr, O. longinoda tends a wide range of Homoptera that produce honey-dew, but apparently “ prefers ” certain Coccids, notably Saissetia spp.The degree of attention afforded by an ant species determines the species of Homoptera which it is able to attend.The insect species preyed upon by O. longinoda include the honey bee, Apis mellifera, and the driver ant, Dorylus nigricans, of which large numbers may be destroyed.O. longinoda is of undoubted value for controlling certain coconut pests, notably Theraptus sp. (Coreidae), and its efficiency in coconut plantations could probably be much enhanced.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document