Pollen Diversity in Apis cerena and its Quantification in Different Ecological Habitats in Karnataka

Diversity, visitation frequency, foraging behaviour and pollination efficiency of honeybees on different crop plants were studied at different ecological habitats in Karnataka. Amount of pollen collected at different places on a daily, weekly and monthly basis were quantified. Majority of the beeds returning with loads were seen to be collecting pollen only than nectar or pollen and nectar. As geography, topography and climate are highly variable from place to place, bee flora is not available uniformly. Change in the availability of bee flora seriously affects the beekeeping.