Melissopalynology and honeybee ecology

Abstract

Melissopalynology is the study of pollen content of honey. While there are various species of solitary bees aiding pollination, hive building “honeybee” species such as Apis cerana indica and A. dorsata are well known for the “social” behaviour they exhibit, akin to humans and are classified as “social” insects. Bees’ visitations to flowers aid pollination as they collect both nectar and pollen for storage in their hives. Several aspects of honey bee ecology, such as the maximum distance of foraging, preference, if any, of species for foraging, links between the two, the temporal dynamics of the relationship between land cover and honeybee preferences in the context of intra -and inter-annual weather fluctuations remain poorly understood for our native species, Apis cerana indica. We are trying to address this gap by designing a study combining seasonal analyses of the pollen contents of honey collected from hives spatially well distributed within an eco-restoration site, 10km west of Puducherry town near the Oussoudou lake in close conjunction with a study of the vegetation and phenology. The study is designed for a minimum of three years in continuity, of which we present here some initial results from the years 2007-2008.

Totally 78 pollen types belonging to 39 angiosperms families were observed from 29 honey samples in four locations. Of these, 17 samples were “unifloral” consisting of one dominant pollen type exceeding 45 %. June – August is the most diversely foraged season. Maximum number of pollen types were observed in the families Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and Lamiaceae.. Interpretation of palynological results in light of vegetation studies, phenology and weather parameters to understand seasonal and inter annual variations is in progress.

Speakers

Mr.R. Ponnuchamy, Mr.S. Prasad & Dr.K. Anupama

Organisers

Department of Ecology, French Institute of Pondicherry.

Venue

Jawaharlal Nehru Conference Hall, French Institute of Pondicherry, 11, Saint Louis Street, Pondicherry - 605 001

Time

4.30 pm