Foraging Behaviour of the African Honey Bee (Apis mellifera adansonii) on Annona senegalensis, Croton macrostachyus, Psorospermum febrifugum and Syzygium guineense var. guineense Flowers at Ngaoundere (Cameroon)

Abstract

To determine the apicultural value of Annona senegalensis Pers. 1806 (Annonaceae), Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Del. 1847 (Euphorbiaceae), Psorospermum febrifugum Spach 1836 (Hypericaceae) and Syzygium guineense (Will.) DC var. guineense 1828 (Myrtaceae), Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille 1804 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) activity was observed on their flowers in the area of Ngaoundéré, from January to May, in 2002 and 2003. Flowers of each plant species were prospected at least four days per month, between 7 am and 6 pm, for the registration of the nectar and/or pollen foraging behaviour of A. m. adansonii workers. Results show that A. m. adansonii harvested nectar and pollen of each plant species. The greatest number of workers foraging simultaneously on a plant varied from 9 in P. febrifugum to 3600 in S. g. guineense. A. m. adansonii workers were faithful to each plant species. A. senegalensis, C. macrostachyus, P. febrifugum and S. g. guineense could be cultivated and protected to increase honey production. A. senegalensis could enable beekeepers to increase their pollen production as a hive product. During foraging, A. m. adansonii workers increased pollination possibilities of each plant species.