Honeybee Activity Research Articles

Honey-bee activity when visiting flowers of the apple cultivars Cox’s Orange Pippin and Golden Delicious

Honey-bee foraging activity, pollen load and the development stage of flowers visited were recorded in an orchard of Cox’s Orange Pippin and Golden Delicious apples. Most bee visits were made to fl...

Honeybee pollination of loganberries (Rubus loganobaccus L.H. Bailey)

The role of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the pollination of loganberries was studied in an experimental planting at Knoxfield, Victoria. When plants were enclosed in cages to exclude bees and larger insects, there was no difference in the total numbers and weight of fruit harvested. Quality rather than quantity of fruit benefited from honeybee activity. The number of reject fruit on enclosed plants was 49.9% of the total as compared with 7.8% on open plants, corresponding respectively to 35 5% and 3- 3% by weight. The farm gate value of fruit harvested per plant was $A2.39 on open plants and $A1.28 on enclosed plants. After deducting cost of hiring bees this was computed to nett an extra return to the grower of $A1876 per hectare. Honeybees comprised 98.6% of all insect visitors to the flowers. Concentrations of airborne pollen 'were greater inside the cages than outside.

Some Aspects of Flower Biology and Bee Activity on Hybrid Cotton in Arizona, USA

SummaryThe phenology of flowering of male-fertile and genetic-cytoplasmic male-sterile upland cottons was observed and compared in detail, and a descriptive sequence which identifies 5 stages of an thesis is proposed. Phenological differences as well as other differences in availability and relative abundance of extrafloral nectar among cotton lines influenced honeybee (Apis mellifera) visits between cotton lines. In cage studies, cotton pollen-collection activity and flower-visitation movements of both honeybees and bees of an unidentified soil-nesting species were observed and recorded. Both species avidly collected loads of cotton pollen although, in open-field studies, it is unusual to find honeybees collecting cotton pollen. In the cage individual honeybees switched between pollen collection and nectar collection during single foraging trips.

A Field Trial to Assess the Effects of a New Pyrethroid Insecticide, WL85871, on Foraging Honeybees in Oilseed Rape

SummaryWL85871 (10 and 20g ai ha−1), parathion-methyl (500g ai ha−1) [MEP] and phosalone (1200g ai ha−1), were each applied to large isolated fields (5·3–13 ha) of flowering oilseed rape during peak foraging activity of honeybees (Apis mellifera). No increase in bee mortalities, compared with those in the pre-treatment period, was observed after the applications of WL85871 or phosalone. In contrast, large numbers of dead bees were found following the application of MEP. Foraging activity in the crop declined for a few hours after the application of phosalone and of WL85871 at the lower dose rate. A slightly more pronounced and prolonged decline in foraging activity occurred at the site treated with WL85871 at the higher dose rate. The amount of pollen collected by the bees was adversely affected only by the application of MEP. None of the treatments had any detectable effects on the overall condition of the hives at the end of the season. Concentrations of WL85871 residues in post-treatment samples of dea...

Flowering and Nectar Secretion as they Relate to Honeybee Foraging Activity in Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus)

SummarySix cultivars of commercial birdsfoot trefoil differed in their flowering patterns and attractiveness to honeybees, but not in nectar secretion characteristics. Florets contained from 0·16 to 0·28 μl of nectar, with sugar concentrations ranging between 13·1% and 19·5% (0–03-0·07 mg sugar/floret). All cultivars began to flower within a week of one another and bloomed over a 13-week period, producing 2 floral peaks, except for one cultivar which produced 3. Honeybee activity was closely associated with the progression of flowering throughout the season, and cultivar foraging levels were related to the magnitude of the floral display. The cultivars that produced the most florets had the largest number of foragers. Activity was heaviest during the fifth and sixth weeks of bloom when flowering was at its peak. Introduction of honeybee colonies into fields should be delayed until cultivars are approaching peak floret production.

Irrigation Regime and Honeybee Activity as Related to Seed Yield in Alfalfa1

AbstractSeed yields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) vary capriciously in time and space. This variation seems mainly caused by the delicate interplay between plant factors monitored by soil moisture availability and the obligate tripping requirement of alfalfa flowers by pollinators. The object of this study was to quantify the main effects and interactions between water application to the alfalfa field and tripping by honeybees, to identify mechanisms which affect the seed yield and to suggest indices for their quantitative evaluation. A wide array of conditions differing in soil moisture and in tripping level was established in the sprinkler‐irrigated field. Observations were made on flowering and pod set of the plants and on the pollinating behavior of the bees.High water rates decreased seed yield. A moderate rate, applied at mid‐flowering to a relatively dry soil, markedly increased seed yield; the effect diminished toward the beginning of the end of flowering. The effect of water application depended also on the degree of tripping.The tripping pressure of honeybees (ie., their propensity to trip alfalfa flowers) was found to be inconsistent and seems to depend mainly on the availability of competing pollen sources. Dry and wet plots were equally welltripped under high tripping pressure and were neglected under low tripping pressure. Under moderate tripping pressure, pollen bees were attracted to dry plots earlier in the morning and in greater numbers than to wet plots, resulting in a higher percentage of tripped flowers, but the total number of tripped flowers was higher in the wet plots.Death of stem apices and a decrease in the rate of node formation were identified as mechanisms which regulate the duration and intensity of flowering and pod set.

Effect of Weather Factors on Honeybee Flight Activity and Colony Weight Gain

SummaryFor three consecutive years, the flight activity from 10 honeybee colonies was recorded for a whole day at the beginning, middle and end of the flow. The outgoing flights started at about 9.00 h reach a maximum between 14.00 and 16.00 h and ceased at about 21.00 h. Multiple correlation coefficients of humidity, temperature, wind speed and light intensity with flight activity ranged from + 0·701 to + 0·978, all highly significant. Correlation coefficients of temperature with flight activity ranged from + 0·532 to + 0.947, also highly significant. There was a significant direct relationship between flight activity and colony weight gain 30 min later. This weight gain was correlated with honeybee activity and the above four weather factors (+ 0·490 to + 0.837, all highly significant). The mean daily flight activity of a colony was highly significantly correlated with the total weight gain of the colony at the end of the season (+ 0.766 to + 0.879). This relationship was not significant on a day with n...

A method for electronically monitoring the ambulatory activity of honeybees under dark conditions

An electronic apparatus using infrared beams for monitoring the movements of individual bees under dark conditions is described. The searching behavior of workers in an arena was monitored over 2-h periods. Mean ambulatory velocity for one bee over a distance of 100 mm was 45.6±1.51 mm/sec (n=45). Thigmokinesis and temporal activity patterns are illustrated.

A Comparison of the Foraging Activities of Common Italian and “Hy-Queen” Honey Bees 2

The distribution and activities of honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) foraging on alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), safflower ( Carthamnus tinctorius L.), and yellow star thistle ( Centaurea solstitialis L.) were determined by magnetically recovering 74.9% of 3200 tags applied to bees foraging in the fields. Common Italian stock was compared with “Hy-Queen” stock selected for alfalfa preference and high pollen collection. A significantly shorter foraging distance was detected for Hy-Queen stock to yellow star thistle but not to alfalfa or safflower. Mean foraging distances to the combined floral sources were 404 m for common Italian and 357 m for Hy-Queen stocks. Other foraging activities, including pollen collection, were similar for both stocks. The foraging activity and distance of alfalfa foragers gradually increased each day after colony relocation until observations ceased 7 days later.

The Distribution and Foraging Activities of Common Italian and “Hy-Queen” Honey Bees 1 during Alfalfa Pollination

The distribution and foraging activities of honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) were compared for common Italian and Hy-Queen stocks, the latter selected for alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) preference and high pollen collection from general sources. The experimental area contained 674 colonies in 27 apiaries. Foraging bees (4000) were collected throughout an alfalfa field (34.0 ha) and tagged with metal discs that were recovered (78.1%) magnetically at hives. Most (81.6%) alfalfa foragers originated from 263 colonies in 12 apiaries at the field. Territorial dominance was evident by bees from the nearest apiaries. Mean foraging distances were 338±56.7 m (common stock) and 237±13.9 m (Hy-queen). Pollen collection from all sources was greater for Hy-Queen (37.9%) than for common stock (30.9%). Stocks were very similar otherwise. Only 1.4% of the alfalfa foragers carried pollen loads, 84.2% of which were from other plant species in the area. Nectar loads of bees collected during foraging were small (mean range = 5.2–9.2 μ liters) and independent of pollen foraging activity. Weak apparent preference for alfalfa by Hy-Queen stock may be caused in part by a genetically reduced foraging distance.

Distribution and Foraging Activities of Honeybees During Almond Pollination

SummaryA magnetic capture-recapture system was used to study the distribution and foraging activities of 1513 honeybees from 60 apiaries in 5 almond orchards (area 9 km2) in California, USA. Bees tended to forage near the apiary from which they flew. Where there was intense competition, owing to high hive densities, foragers dispersed to orchards containing fewer hives. There were significantly more foragers in populous than in small colonies, but the distance at which they foraged was not affected by colony size. The mean nectar load was 5·9 μl, and its mean sugar concentration 43·9%. Pollen collection and foraging distance were similar for Hy-Queen and for common Italian stocks.

Nectar flow by melliferous flora and gathering flow by Apis mellifera ligustica

The dynamics of sugar production by flowers and the foraging activity of honey bees were analysed and the following results obtained: (1) Assuming that air temperature is above a thermal threshold, sugar flow at the flowers remains nearly constant during the photophase of the working day; (2) Gathering flow reached by foraging bees shows large oscillations; (3) Oscillations of the gathering flow are due to a behavioural aspect of the bees, i.e. “floral fidelity”; and (4) The possibility that this oscillations of the gathering flow is a functional adaptation of the system flower-pollinator is discussed.

The effects of Penicillium waksmani growth on American foulbrood infected combs and adult honeybee activity

Penicillium waksmani was found capable of growing on the scales left by American foulbrood disease (AFB). The scale thus became loosened from the cell wall in a wax comb and was easier for the adult worker honeybees, Apis mellifera, to remove. Also, the bees were stimulated to remove the mold, and consequently, the loosened scales. This cell cleaning and removal of scale was further evidenced by a reduction in cell wall height and in the number of viable Bacillus larvae spores in the cells.

A quantitative and temporal study of histamine and histidine in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom.

We have measured the amounts of histamine and histidine in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom glands, venom-reservoir tissue, and venom taken from single worker bees of known age.Our results show that neither of these venom components is present in newly emerged worker bees. Histamine and histidine were first detected in the venom of week-old bees, and the amounts present increased for 3 to 4 weeks, reached maxima, and then fell off again in 6-week-old bees.We discuss the significance of histamine as a venom component and the timing of its appearance in the venom in relation to age correlated changes in the activities of honey bees.

Lunar periodicity in flight activity of honey bees

Abstract Honey bees entering and leaving their hive were registered with photoelectrical counters. By using this method it was possible to measure flight activity cycles of high and low levels. Considering the effect of reproduction and mortality rates, the observed rhythm of activity could be attributed to the phases of the moon. Observations of outdoor flight activity in Morocco, under weather conditions permitting, from June to October and indoor flight activity in a controlled environment rearing room in Germany from November 1968 to August 1970 had the following results:

Path-Coefficient Analysis of Correlation Between Honey Bee Activity and Seed Yield in Allium cepa L.1

Abstract A path-coefficient analysis was used to furnish information on the inter-relationships of pollinating insect activity and components of seed yield in inbreds of Allium cepa L. The inbreds differed very significantly in their attractiveness to pollinating insects. Only one inbred exhibited a significant correlation (P <0.05 positive) between numbers of honey bees and seed yields. Separating the correlation coefficients into components of direct and indirect effects indicated that pollination attractiveness was not the limiting factor in seed set for inbreds in the experiment. Moreover, most of the variation in seed yield could be attributed to indirect effects on the components of yield, umbels per plant, flowers per umbel, percent per fertilized flower, and seeds per fertilized flower.

Role of Light in Altering the Circadian Oscillations of the Honey Bee1,2

Colonies of honey bees. Apis mellifera L., (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and individual bees have distinct circadian rhythms when external stimuli are removed. The circadian activity was eliminated from observation colonies by exposing the bees to light during a period of low activity. The circadian oscillation of the activity of individual honey bees can be compressed or expanded from that expected in a free-running situation by entrainment with light.

Natural Cross‐pollination in Blue Lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in Georgia and Florida1

Natural cross‐pollination rates of blue lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in Georgia and Florida ranged from 0 to 11.95% for different genotypes, test sites, test years, and honey bee population densities. The larger and fleshier‐flowered, earlier‐flowering biotype (common bitter blue lupine and ‘Rancher’ sweet blue lupine) had much lower cross‐pollination rates (0 to 3.45%) than the smaller and more fragile‐flowered, late‐flowering, elite winter‐hardy line 65G‐251. Nine other elite winter‐hardy lines were similar to 65G‐251 in floral, maturity, and cross‐pollination‐rate characteristics. We attribute the difference in natural cross‐pollination rates between the two major biotypes to their relative resistance to tripping by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) or the flowering of the late type at temperatures more favorable for honey bee activity, or both.Results from tests including treatments designed to prevent flower‐visitation by one or more of the possible insect vectors of cross‐pollination indicate that: (i) Bumble bees (Pyrobombus spp.) easily tripped all types of blue lupine flowers and are cross‐pollination vectors, but their numbers were too few to be the principal vector; (ii) Honey bees were the principal cross‐pollination vectors; (iii) Thrips (Frankliniella spp.) were not cross‐pollination vectors, although they may render some flowers male sterile hy eating all the pollen; (iv) Wild bees were not vectors; and (v) Blue lupine is highly self‐compatible, highly self‐pollinated, and fully capable of automatic self‐pollination, i.e., self‐pollination within the closed flower is independent of insect visitation.In all tests at all locations cross‐pollination rates were positively correlated with honey bee population densities. Wind protection of the test site favored honey bee activity and higher cross‐pollination rates.We made suggestions based on these findings for use in breeding, genetic, and variety seed production operations.

Factors Affecting Pollination of Onions in Idaho During 19691

Abstract The ratio of pollen-fertile to pollen-sterile rows was more than twice the recommended ratio. The activity of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., was largely limited to pollen collecting on the pollen parent rows; there was an average of 100 bees per 100 ft of row on the pollen-parent as compared with a maximum of 40 bees per 100 ft of row on the male-steriles. Bee activity and seed yields (which were generally unsatisfactory) decreased as the distance from the pollen rows increased. About half of the bees sampled at the hive entrances had pollen loads and about 8 percent of these were onion pollen. Samples from the pollen traps contained 6 percent onion pollen. Onion as a source of pollen is less attractive to honey bees than other sources in the area. The viability of onion pollen from flowers in the morning was 2 to 3 times greater than in the afternoon. Onion pollen taken from pollen traps did not germinate.

Recruitment Efficiency in Honeybees: Studies on the Role of Olfaction

SummaryMeasurements were made on the activities of worker honeybees which attended waggle dances by marked foragers in an observation hive, and on the success of unmarked recruits in finding a food source in the field. Potential recruits attended waggle dances for about seven straight runs. Most of these bees then left the hive within one minute.When unscented sucrose was provided at the food site, few unmarked bees reached that source. When scent was added to the food, recruitment efficiency was improved. Numbers of unmarked foragers reaching the source varied directly with the amount of scent provided. Recruitment efficiency was also greatly influenced by alteration of the natural odour in the vicinity of a food source; cutting the grass there increased recruitment to the source, whereas the numbers of unmarked foragers reaching a control site remained unchanged.Data from our experiments are not consistent with the classic dance “language” hypothesis of honeybee communication, but do indicate that recru...