Studies on major pollinators and foraging activities of Indian honey bee Apis cerana Fab. on mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The present study was conducted to record the major pollinators of mango and foraging activity of Indian honey bee Apis cerana Fab. on mango during flowering season of the year 2018-2019 at Division No. 2, Mango Orchard, National Agricultural Research Project, Regional Fruit Research Station, Ganeshkhind (Plain Zone). Result revealed that, total 20 species of insect pollinators recorded during flowering period of mango and out of these 10 from hymenoptera, 5 from Diptera, Coleoptera and Neuroptera observed 2 each and 1 from Lepidoptera order and all pollinators plays significant role in pollination and fruit setting. Peak foraging activity of A. cerana (5.76 Bees/panicle/5 min./week) were found during peak flowering period i.e.1st week of February (6th SMW). with maximum time (16 sec/panicle) spend by A. cerana at 8.00 -10.00 am and minimum time (9.60 sec/ panicle) spend at 2:00 - 4:00 pm on mango inflorescence. Maximum foraging activity of bees (A. cerana) found during 9:00-11:00 am (7.08, 7.36, 7.76 Bees/panicle/5 min) and No activity found at morning 6:00 am and minimum activity between 12:00 – 4:00 pm (5.06-2.80 Bees/panicle/5min./week).