Seasonal abundance of oriental hornet in Apis mellifera L. colonies

Abstract

An attempt was made to study seasonal abundance of predatory wasp Vespa orientalis attacking Apis mellifera colonies during blooming period of Prosopis cineraria and Capparis decidua in Jodhpur (Rajasthan). The data on the abundance of hornet wasp was collected from February to July. No V. orientalis wasp was recorded attacking the colonies in winters and spring. V. orientalis activity started in May and increased during June to July. Hornet wasps were found attacking honeybee colonies frequently with the onset of monsoon season with high population in late July.