Partial Solar Eclipse Affects Apis mellifera L Foraging Activity

Bees use sun’s position for navigation and thus a solar eclipse may affect this capability. Present study was conducted during partial solar eclipse on June 21, 2020 at Ludhiana, Punjab. Apis mellifera L foragers’ activity at the hive entrance was recorded through a digital bee counter. Bees’ activity increased normally, i.e. 771 and 823 bees/ 15 mins coming in and going out of the hive, respectively before the start of eclipse phase. At peak obscuration it decreased slightly but non-significantly. Changes in hive temperature and humidity might have limited the recruitment of foragers. Hence, no peak activity was recorded during peak obscuration, which otherwise was recorded on ordinary days at 1345 hr.