Melissopalynological Investigations on Rock Bee Honeys from Deciduous Forests of E. Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India

The present paper deals with the pollen analysis of twelve squeezed honey samples of_Apis dorsata F. (rock bee) collected during March-July, 2008 from Rajavommangi and Eleswaram forest range of E. Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. According to the pollen spectra, most of the samples (11) were unifloral (single source) and one multifloral. Majority of unifloral honeys i.e., 8 (72.7%) showed Aspidopterys indicaj LS the predominant pollen type. Borassus flabellifer, Sapindus emarginatus and Hygrophila auriculata formed the predominant pollen type in one (9.1%) sample each. The other significant pollen types recorded include Mimosapudica, Terminalia arjuna, Dillenia pentagyna, Syzygium cumini, Abutilon indicum, Mimosa hamata, Lannea coromandelica, Aegle marmelos, Schleichera oleosa, Prosopis juliflora, Soymida febrifuga, Caesalpinia bonduc etc. The study highlights the importance of Aspidopterys indica as the chief source of nectar for rock bees (A.dorsata) during summer in the forest range of E. Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India.