Effect of bee attractants on foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera L. on seed onion crop (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the foraging behaviour of European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) on seed onion crop (Allium cepa L.). The peak foraging activity of A. mellifera (7.50 bees/m2/5 minute) were found during fourth week of flowering period and maximum at 12:00 hrs of day with an average of 12.00 bees/m2/5 minute. The foraging activity of A. mellifera initiated at early in morning at 8:00 hrs and continues till evening up to 18:00 hrs. On 1st, 3rd and 5th day after first spray of bee attractants, the treatment with Jaggery solution (10%) was found significantly superior in attracting a greater number of bees with an average of 12.68, 15.18 and 13.75 bees/m2/5 minute, respectively. The bee visits on one, three and five days after second spray of bee attractants was 13.57, 15.89 and 15.89 bees/m2/5 minute, respectively and for third spray it was 14.11, 16.25 and 14.82 bees/m2/5 minute, respectively.