GREEN BEE-EATER, MEROPS ORIENTALIS - A THREAT TO BEEKEEPING WITH ITALIAN BEES IN KERALA

摘要

This paper presents diurnal incidence and predation rate of Merops orientalis on Apis mellifera in Kerala (India). Maximum predation was recorded at 11 and 16 h when bee foraging was also higher. The exotic bee Apis mellifera Linn, has been introducedto Kerala subsequent to the out break of Thai sac brood virus disease in Indian bee Apis cerana indica Fab. in the State during 1991-92, by All India Co-ordinated Project on Honeybee Research and Training Centre, Vellayani of Kerala Agricultural University, for observation and to study the survival of the species in the new ecosystem. The observations indicated that the species could thrive better under Kerala conditions without any serious pests or disease problem other than the attack of green bee-eater, M.orientalis L The incidence of the migratory bee-eater bird, M.orientalis has been noticed in the apiaries, causing serious threat to A. mellifera colonies during 2000-2001.