Foraging rhythm of honeybees Apis mellifera in Ismailia, Egypt

Abdel-Galel, Reem; Elbanna, Shereen; Semida, Fayez

doi:10.21608/cat.2021.196712

Foraging rhythm of honeybees Apis mellifera in Ismailia, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

² Zoology Department., Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

³ Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

10.21608/cat.2021.196712

Abstract

Most of the human food resources depend on honeybees; they are the most efficient pollinators that contribute to our ecosystem stability, biodiversity and crop productivity. Honeybees’ foraging behavior is affected by many environmental factors. Daytime, ambient temperature and food availability (nectar and pollen) are the most influencing factors on foraging behavior. Many ecological studies were done to investigate this behavior. Honeybees’ foraging activity pattern was estimated, in addition to its seasonal and monthly abundance. In this study honeybees’ foraging activity as well as its seasonal and monthly abundance were evaluated. This study was run during the period 12/2017-11/2018. All beekeeping managements were provided to keep the colony in good condition all the time of the experiment. The obtained results revealed that honeybees have a bimodal foraging activity pattern morning and afternoon peaks. The daily activity pattern of honeybees showed a significant correlation with the measured temperature. Meanwhile, Seasonal abundance of forager bees changed significantly among different seasons with highest of abundance peak during Spring. Results also suggest that honeybees’ activity had a window of opportunity of ambient temperatures as they forage in temperature range from 20°C to 28°C.

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