Evaluation of indigenous honey bee Apis cerana-Srinagar (J&K) vs. Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)

Abstract

This study provides a comparison of the economically important traits of honey bee Apis cerana from Srinagar and Coimbatore. The parameters of bee strength, brood rearing, honey production and pollen collection are compared. The results reveal that maximum bee population was found in Coimbatore during May (14678 bees) and the least (5090 bees) during August; the brood area was maximum (1508.96 cm2) (May) and the least of 150.1 cm2 during September. The collection was at a maximum of 418.70 cm2 in August and minimum of 26.13 cm2 in March. The honey production was maximum (3644 g) in June and minimum in March (263.2 g). In comparison, at Srinagar maximum population (14058 bees) was in May and minimum (3010 bees) in April; maximum brood area (2440.2 cm2) was in May which reached a minimum (10.4 cm2) in March. Here, the maximum pollen collection (425.22 cm2) was observed in May, reaching the low of 3.4 cm2 in September. Similarly honey yield was maximum (1500.2 g) in May and minimum (130.4 g) in August.