Diversity of necteriferous and polleniferous bee flora and floral calendar of honey bees in dryland regions of Koppal District

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to study the diversity of nectariferous and polleniferous bee flora and to develop a floral calendar for Koppel district. The flowering plants were visited and observed for the presence and foraging activities of honeybees. Plants were scored as bee foraging species when at least three honeybees had visited to the flowers within the period of 10 minutes. The identified bee flora comprises visited by worker bees of different plant groups viz., vegetable cops, fruit crops, plantation, aromatic, ornamental plants and medicinal plants etc. The identified flora was further grouped into pollen, nectar and both pollen and nectar yielding plants. Out of, 84 plant species were useful to honeybees, among vegetables (19), fruits (15), plantation (3) aromatic and ornamental crops (9) and medicinal plants (38) respectively were identified and found in the study area. The identified flora was further grouped into pollen, nectar and both pollen and nectar yielding plants. Nectar source (7), pollen (17) and both pollen and nectar (59) yielding plants respectively. It was observed that Mid-December to February and mid-July to September were identified as honey flow periods and mid -April to mid- June were the critical dearth periods during investigation. Based on the availability, utility status and flowering duration of flora, floral calendar was developed for the study area.