Pollen analysis in understanding the foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera in Gangetic West Bengal

摘要

Pal P. K. & Karmakar P. 2013. Pollen analysis in understanding the foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera in Gangetic West Bengal. Geophytology 42(2): 93 - 114. Forage patterns, with respect to pollen as well as nectar, of Apis mellifera in Gangetic West Bengal throughout the year have been worked out in detail. The results are based on the pollen analysis of 1443 pollen pellets and 61 honey samples collected systematically in different months throughout the calendar year. The work reveals that the forage spectrum of A. mellifera in the region is constituted by altogether 77 species of flowering plants. Among those, Cocos nucifera, Phoenix sylvestris, Borassus flabellifer, Citrus maxima, Carica papaya, Pongamia pinnata, Luffa acutangula, Croton bonplandianum, Terminalia arjuna, Bauhinia malabarica, Averrhoa carambola, Chrozophora rottleri, Monochoria hastata, Anthocephalus cadamba, Acacia auriculiformis, Murraya paniculata, Cleome viscosa, Eucalyptus globulus and Xanthium strumarium serve as the predominant pollen source. Brassica nigra, Moringa oleifera, Borassus flabellifer, Syzygium cumini, Sesamum indicum, Anthocephalus cadamba, Impatiens balsamina, Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia auriculiformis and Mikania scandens constitute the important nectar source. For the major part of the year, A. mellifera produces multifloral honeys, except in September when it yields Eucalyptus type unifloral ones.