Nectar and Pollen Diversity in Bee Foraging Ecosystem at Terai Region, Uttar Pradesh, India

The Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, extending across twenty-one districts from Saharanpur to Deoria, represents most productive agro-ecological zones and a vital landscape for apiculture. Present study documents diversity of nectariferous and polleniferous flora and establishes a regional floral calendar along with flowering periods for sustaining honeybee foraging activity. Twenty-one honey samples were collected from managed colonies of Apis mellifera and A. cerana indica during November 2023 and June 2025. Pollen grains in the honey samples were isolated by standard acetolysis technique and identified. Total 273 nectar and pollen plant species were recorded. The families Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae were found to be principal contributors of honeybee foraging, as were identified in honey samples. Seasonal analysis revealed succession patterns in flowering i.e. winter–spring (Brassica and Coriandrum) summer (Albizia and Cassia) and post-monsoon (Eucalyptus and Syzygium ). The results highlighted year-round availability of diverse floral resources that eneble sustainable beekeeping and pollination services in the Terai region. The developed floral calendar serves as a practical tool for apiary site selection, colony management, and conservation planning, supporting the maintenance of native bee forage under changing climatic and land-use conditions.