Foraging behaviour of honey bee species on fenugreek (Kasuri Methi)

Abstract

This study examines the foraging behaviour of four honey bee species (Apis mellifera, Apis cerana indica, Apis dorsata, and Apis florea) on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) during the Rabi season of 2022-2023. The research was conducted at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, and focused on assessing the duration, speed, and rate of foraging activities. Apis mellifera demonstrated the longest foraging duration, beginning at 06:40 AM and ending at 18:00 PM, while Apis dorsata exhibited the highest foraging rate, visiting an average of 19.63 flowers per minute. Conversely, Apis florea spent the most time per flower, averaging 2.89 seconds per bloom. The study found that variations in foraging behaviour across species significantly affect the efficiency of fenugreek pollination. These insights are crucial for optimizing pollinator management strategies, thereby enhancing crop yields and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.