M. Moustafa, A., M. Khodairy, M. (2007). FEEDING PREFERENCE FOR SEVEN TYPES OF BEE BREAD BY HONEY BEES (Apis mellifera L.) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.. test, 38(1), 153-168. doi: 10.21608/ajas.2007.271093
Adham M. Moustafa; Mohammed M. Khodairy. "FEEDING PREFERENCE FOR SEVEN TYPES OF BEE BREAD BY HONEY BEES (Apis mellifera L.) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.". test, 38, 1, 2007, 153-168. doi: 10.21608/ajas.2007.271093
M. Moustafa, A., M. Khodairy, M. (2007). 'FEEDING PREFERENCE FOR SEVEN TYPES OF BEE BREAD BY HONEY BEES (Apis mellifera L.) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.', test, 38(1), pp. 153-168. doi: 10.21608/ajas.2007.271093
M. Moustafa, A., M. Khodairy, M. FEEDING PREFERENCE FOR SEVEN TYPES OF BEE BREAD BY HONEY BEES (Apis mellifera L.) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.. test, 2007; 38(1): 153-168. doi: 10.21608/ajas.2007.271093

FEEDING PREFERENCE FOR SEVEN TYPES OF BEE BREAD BY HONEY BEES (Apis mellifera L.) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.

Assiut Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Article 7, Volume 38, Issue 1, March 2007, Pages 153-168    PDF (259.8 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ajas.2007.271093
Authors
Adham M. Moustafa1; Mohammed M. Khodairy2
1Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
2Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
Abstract
In the first hybrid of Carniolan bees, feeding preference on different types of bee bread from monofloral sources was studied in the apiary of Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University. In the tests of feeding preference, newly emerged bee workers were given a choice among seven types of bee bread from maize, coriander, canola, caper, broad bean, Egyptian clover and fennel plants. Generally, in the period of 1-3 days, bees consumed the highest percentage of total pollens (51.36%) followed by the period of 4-6 days (36.25%) then the pollen consumed sharply decreased at the period of 7-9 days (9.22%). There were significant differences in pollen consumption of bee workers among all pollen types. The total consumption of pollen was 16.9, 14.4, 11.2, 9.7, 8.0, 5.4 and 0.6 mg/bee/18 days for bees fed on maize, coriander, canola, caper, broad bean, Egyptian clover and fennel pollens, respectively. The results indicated that honey bee workers exhibit a preference for pollen types more than the others. The present results suggested to divide the pollen consumed into three groups dependant on preference level of pollen feeding by bee workers. The first group (more preferred), pollen consumption was more than 20% from total pollen consumed, included maize (25.53%) and coriander pollen (21.75%). The second (considerably preferred), the pollen consumption ranged from 10-20%, included canola (16.92%), caper (14.65%) and broad bean pollen (12.08%). Whereas, the third (slightly preferred), the consumption percentage was less than 10%, included Egyptian clover (8.16%) and fennel pollen (0.91%). It can be summarized that the maize and coriander pollens were the most favourable and best attractant pollens than other tested pollens. While fennel pollen was less favourable and bad attractant.
Statistics
Article View: 133
PDF Download: 153