PLECTRANTHUS AS FORAGE FOR APIS CERANA INDICA F. AND APIS MELLIFERA L

Abstract

The activity of bee foragers (A.c, iaclica and A. ntellifera) was recorded on the flowers of Plectraruhns rugosus and at hive entrances during different day light hours. A.c. inclica foragers worked for longer hours than A. mellifera. A single A.c. indica forager visited 17.5 and 25.0 flowers per minute in the morning and afternoon whereas, A. mellifera; visited 25.8 and 33.6 flowers per minute during the same hours. For collecting a nectar load each forager of A.c. inrlica and A, rnellifera visited 288.2 and 358.0 flowers, respectively. The sugar concentration of the nectar of Plectramhus varied from 26.5 % (morning hours) to 54.0 % (Evening hours).