STUDIES ON THE ANNUAL FORAGING CYCLE OF APIS CERANA INDICA F. IN SIMLA HILLS OF NORTHWEST HIMALAYAS

Abstract

Studies on the foraging behaviour of A.c. indica indicated that pollen and nectar were collected throughout the year irrespective of floral and climatic conditions and thus exhibiting a regular foraging cycle. Foraging activity was greater in summer and autumn as compared to other seasons of the year and the peak of nectar collection activity was generally observed after the peak of pollen collection. Flight behaviour data showed the following hours of peak activity during the various seasons of the year : summer (0600, 0800, 1000 and 1600 hours) ; rainy (0900 and 1000 hours) ; autumn (0900, 1000 and 1200 hours) ; early winter (0900 and 1400 hours) ; late winter (1100 hours) and spring (0800 and 1100 hours). The percentage of nectar collectors was greater than those collecting pollen, pollen + nectar and water during all the seasons of the year. Greater fluctuations were noticed in the percentage of nectar collectors as compared to the pollen, pollen + nectar and water collectors during different seasons.