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International Journal of
Entomology Research
ARCHIVES
VOL. 5, ISSUE 6 (2020)
Foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Acacia senegalensis, Adansonia digitata, Albizia coriaria and Steganotaenia araliacea flowers at Ngaoundéré (Cameroon)
Authors
Christian Wékéré, Djakbé Jackson Dapsia, Adamou Moïse, Tchuenguem Fohouo Fernand-Nestor
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted to assess the apicultural potential of Acacia senegalensis, Adansonia digitata, Albizia coriaria and Steganotaenia araliacea. To date in this country (Cameroon), the demand for honey and other hive products is very high, partly because of the insufficiency of the awareness of the apicultural potential of several plant species. Apis mellifera workers foraging activity was studied on the flowers of these plant species from November 2015 to April 2016 and 2016 to 2017. At Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon), the flowers of each plant species were observed two days per week, between 07:00 am and 06:00 pm, for recording the pollen and/or nectar foraging behaviour of Ap. mellifera workers. Results indicated that, the foragers of Ap. mellifera assemble intensely and regularly the nectar of each plant species except on S. araliacea (low collection nectar). In addition, Ad. Digitata and S. araliacea were visited intensely for pollen; Ac. senegalensis and Al. coriaria were also visited for pollen but slightly. The abundances of foragers (greatest numbers of individuals of Ap. mellifera simultaneously in activity) per individual plant and on 1000 flowers varied 11 (S. araliacea) to 987 (Ad. digitata) and 15 (S. araliacea) to 532 (Ad. digitata) respectively. The average value of the sugar content of nectar varied from 18.67% (Ad. digitata) to 37.62% (S. araliacea). During its foraging activity, the foragers of Ap. mellifera improved pollination possibilities of each plant species.
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Pages:214-221
How to cite this article:
Christian Wékéré, Djakbé Jackson Dapsia, Adamou Moïse, Tchuenguem Fohouo Fernand-Nestor "Foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Acacia senegalensis, Adansonia digitata, Albizia coriaria and Steganotaenia araliacea flowers at Ngaoundéré (Cameroon)". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 5, Issue 6, 2020, Pages 214-221
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