Pollinator diversity and foraging activity on fennel, Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and African marigold, Tagetus minuta L.

Pollinator diversity and abundance was studied on fennel and marigold. Sixteen species of insect visitors were recorded on the flowers of fennel. Of these, twelve species belonged to hymenoptera, two to diptera and one to lepidoptera. Peak foraging activity of Apis cerana and A. florea on fennel was observed at 1100 h. in The foraging activity of A. cerana and A. florea started from 0700 h and continued up to 1800 h. Whereas, the activity of Tetragonula iridipennis was observed one hour late (0800 h) and continued up to 1600 h. On flowers of African marigold, A. cerana started foraging by 0700 h and ceased at 1600 h but, in case of A. florea it ceased at 1800 h, whereas, the activity of A. dorsata was observed to start at 0800 h and declined at 1600 h.