STUDY OF FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF APIS CERANA DURING SUMMER IN SUNDARBAZAR, LAMJUNG, NEPAL

Abstract

Apis cerana forages for around 10 hours/day, starting early in the morning and ending late at night. A study was undertaken in an apiary in Sundarbazar, from March-May 2021 to measure the foraging activity. At 8a.m, 11a.m, 1p.m, and 4p.m, number of bees leaving and entering hives with and without pollen for a minute in four different beehives were recorded. According to the observation, there was a significant difference in bee behavior (P0.01) between the time treatments. Pollen-carrying bees entered the hive in greater numbers at 1 p.m, 11 a.m, which was statistically equal to 4 p.m, and least at 8 a.m. Similarly, at 1 p.m., the number of bee leaving and entering the hive without pollen was much greater, followed by 11 a.m. which was statistically equivalent to 4 p.m, and 8 a.m, which had the least. The highest mean value of bee movement was found in May.

Keywords

• beehives
• forage
• pollen
• honey.