TY  - BOOK
AU  - Anchu C L
AU  - Vijayasree V (Guide)
TI  - Stingless bee foraging pattern in ornamental plants
U1  - 632.6 
PY  - 2023///
CY  - Vellayani
PB  - Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture
KW  - Agricultural entomology
KW  - Stingless bee
KW  - Protein estimation
N1  - MSc
N2  - The present investigation on “Stingless bee foraging pattern in ornamental plants” was 
conducted at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 
during 2020-2022. The objective of the study was documentation of the foraging pattern of 
stingless bees in nectariferous and polleniferous ornamental plants and preparation of floral 
calendar. Flowers were observed from identified ornamental plants at full bloom stage and their 
flowering period and floral characteristics were studied. Foraging activity of stingless bee was 
studied and observations were recorded from 0700 h to 1800 h from September 2021 to August 
2022. 
A total of 20 ornamental plant species were identified on the basis of stingless bee 
foraging for nectar and pollen of which, 9 plant species were found producing flowers year 
round and remaining as seasonal. Major nectar producing plants were identified as coral vine 
(Antigonon leptopus Hook. and Arn) and scarlet bush (Hamelia patens Jacq). Pollen producing 
plants were identified as moss rose/sun plant (Portulaca grandiflora L), water lily (Nymphaea 
sp), rose (Rosa spp), scented rose (Rosa bourboniana L), ornamental palm (Syagrus 
romanzoffiana cham), lemon vine (Pereskia aculeate L), marigold (Tagetes erecta L) and 
sunflower (Helianthus annuus I). The ornamental plants providing both nectar and pollen were 
found to be hibiscus (Malvaviscus arboreus B, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L), peacock plant 
(Caesalpinia pulcherrima L), chinese powder puff (Combretum constrictum L), chinese ixora 
(Ixora chinensis L), cape honey suckle (Tecoma capensis L), peregrina/ spicy jatropha 
(Jatropha Pandurifolia L) and euphorbia (Euphorbia mili L). 
Among the ornamental plants foraged by bees, the predominant family was Asteraceae 
followed by Rubiaceae, Malvaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The majority of bee flora were of 
strong orange, yellowish white followed by strong red and vivid reddish orange and tubular 
and cup-like shapes. 
Studies on foraging activity of stingless bee revealed that the peak activity was recorded 
during January and March with peak foraging activity from 1000 h to 0100 h. Among the year 
round flowering plants, maximum foraging rate was observed in Antigonon leptopus and 
among seasonal flowering plants, it was Syagrus romanzoffiana. Longest time spent by 
foragers was recorded as 30.44 sec during 1000-1200h of the day. Maximum time spent was 
observed in Nympheae sp. followed by Malvaviscus arboreus. 
Relationship between foraging rate and weather parameters viz temperature, relative 
humidity, wind velocity, rainfall and sunshine hours were done. Significant positive correlation 
was observed with temperature and number of foragers in case of Antigonon leptopus (0.221), 
Caesalpinia pulcherrima (0.271), Portulaca grandiflora (0.402), Jatropha pandurifolia 
(0.454) and Syagrus romansoffiana (0.213). Significant negative correlation was observed 
between relative humidity and number of foragers in case of Antigonon leptopus (-0.157), 
Hamelia patens (-0.216), Nymphaea sp. (-0.356), Caesalpinia pulcherrima (-0.256), Portulaca 
grandiflora (-0.295), Jatropha pandurifolia (-0.311), Malvaviscus arboreus (-0.142), 
Combretum constrictum (-0.293) and Syagru sromansoffiana (-0.401). Significant negative 
correlation was found between rainfall whereas significant positive correlation was recorded 
with sunshine hours and foraging rate. 
Thus in this study two nectar producing plants, eight pollen providing plants 
and 10 nectar and pollen producing ornamental plant species were identified. The foraging 
activity of bees varied in a day with the peak foraging activity during 1000 h to 0100 h. Bee 
floral calendar was prepared by using data of year round observation which can aid the farmers 
in providing the identified bee flora in particular month so that the bees can exploit these 
resources available in their surroundings
ER  -