Bee Flora and floral calendar of honey bees in dry land regions of northern Karnataka

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to study the diversity of bee flora which includes both nectariferous and polleniferous plants and also to develop a floral calendar for Haveri districts. The study revealed that in Haveri district, 75 plant species were useful to honeybees. Out of which nineteen species vegetables, fruits (13), field crops (15) and plantation, flower and ornamental crops and other plants constituted fifteen species and medicinal plants (13). The identified flora was further grouped into pollen, nectar and both pollen and nectar yielding plants. Out of 75 crops, there were 16 species of nectar yielding plants, pollen (12) and both pollen and nectar were 44species. The peak periods of honeybee foraging activity (honey flow period) were recorded during June– October of winter season and January to March of summer season of the year. During the honey flow period (June– October), abundant bee floral plants were found blossoming and plants species were recorded as source of food for honeybees. Based on the availability, utility status and flowering duration of flora, floral calendar was developed for the study area.