Comparative Pollen Analysis of Apis cerana Fabricius and A. mellifera L. Honey Samples from Guntur, Sothern India

Authors : Kethula MAMATHA, Ravula DEVENDER, Jangam Ganga KAILASH, Sonte NIRANJA, Hari RAMAKRISHNA

Pages : 1-14

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Publication Date : 2018-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The present paper incorporates comparative pollen analysis of A.cerana Fabricius and A. mellifera L. samples belong to summer season of 2008-2009 from Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Total 32 pollen taxa belong to 22 families were identified. Out of 32 pollen taxa 10 pollen taxa were commonly encountered in both summer honeys of A.cerana and A. mellifera . Borassus flabellifer pollen are predominant in two samples of A. mellifera , and remaining 9 samples were multiflora. Apis cerana , an Indian honey bee and A. mellifera , an European bee, are domesticated bees which are useful for honey production through apiary. The size of the honey bee and foraging area of A.cerana are small when compare to A.mellifera, Hence the number of pollen in honey samples of A.cerana are lesser than A. mellifera due to less coverage by A.cerana bees for nectar and pollen. Guntur district have a good potential for sustaining beekeeping ventures because of the diversity of nectar taxa.
Keywords : Pollen analysis, Honey samples, Guntur district