Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) Crop Insect Pollinators with Special Reference to the Foraging Activity of Different Species of Honeybees

A study was carried out on insect pollinators of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) crop with special reference to the foraging activity of different species of honeybees during Rabi 2013-14 at Agriculture Research Station, Siruguppa, UAS, Raichur. Various insect pollinators visiting the sesame crop were observed during flowering period. A total of 14 insect species were found visited the sesame flower, out of 14 insect species, 10 spp belongs to Hymenoptera and 4 were belongs to Dipterans. Among Hymenopterans, the 4 spp of honeybees viz., Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, Apis florea and Trigona iridipennis were recorded during flowering period. The foraging activity of honeybees and other pollinators were recorded from 6 AM to 6 PM at an hourly interval during the flowering period. The number of pollinators visiting the sesame flowers were found maximum during 9 to 11 hours. The highest number of pollen foragers were recorded during mid morning hours.