Influence of Distance, Environmental Factors, and Native Vegetation on Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Foraging in Arid Shrublands and Grasslands

Abstract

This study determined the influence of foraging distance, environmental factors, and native vegetation on honeybee (Apis mellifera) foraging in arid shrublands and grasslands in Northern Mexico. Apiary distance from inflorescence sites did not have a significant influence on the intensity of foraging. Apiary location and landscape were decisive factors in the response of honeybees to environmental factors. Air temperature, minimum temperature, wind velocity, and relative humidity explained foraging by 87, 80, 68, and 41% (R2), respectively, in shrubland sites in open landscapes but had no significant influence on foraging in the grassland sites in a valley surrounded by hills (1820–2020 amsl). Nights with a minimum temperature of Koeberlinia spinosa) and wait-a-minute bush (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) in shrublands and honey mesquite (Neltuma glandulosa) and wait-a-minute bush (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) in grasslands. The findings and baseline data contributed by this study may be used to identify suitable environments for increasing apiary productivity and other agricultural and ecological benefits.

Keywords

• <i>Apis mellifera</i>
• <i>Koeberlinia spinosa</i>
• <i>Mimosa aculeaticarpa</i>
• <i>Neltuma glandulosa</i>
• bee colonies
• bees in arid Mexico