Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences

J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]

Volume 10(3): 1325 -1333. Published June 29, 2011.

Foraging and pollination activities of apis mellifera adansonii latreille (apidae) on syzygium guineense var. guineense (myrtaceae) flowers at Ngaoundéré (Cameroon)

Denis Djonwangwe1, 2*, Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo3, Jean Messi2, D. Brückner.4

 1 Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 55, Maroua, Cameroon
2Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
3 Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box, 454 Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
4 Forschungsstelle für Bienenkunde, Universität Bremen, FB2, Postfach 330440, 28334 Bremen, Germany
*: Corresponding author e-mail: djonwangwedenis@gmail.com  / djonwangwedenis@yahoo.f  (Tel: (237) 75 65 85 19/ 99 56 92 42;
Key words: Apis mellifera adansonii, Syzygium guineense var. guineense, foraging, pollination

SUMMARY

To estimate the apicultural value and evaluate the impact of Apis mellifera adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on the fruit yield of Syzygium guineense var. guineense (Myrtaceae), bee foraging and pollination activities on flowers were observed in Ngaoundéré, in the gallery forests of Tchabal-Bambi and Béka, for two seasons (February - March, 2006 and 2007). One hundred and twenty and 200 flower clusters subdivided in two lots based on the presence or absence of protection of flower clusters from insects using gauze bags. The seasonal rhythm of bee visits, the daily activity of workers, the abundance of foragers on 1000 flowers, the fruiting index of labelled flower clusters were also evaluated. Results indicate that A. m. adansonii visited S. g. var. guineense the whole day and during all the flowering period. Each year, foragers harvested nectar permanently and intensively. The rhythm of the bee’s visits was positively correlated with the flowering rhythmofthe Myrtaceae. The greatest mean number of workers foraging simultaneously was 256 per 1000 flowers. Data obtained suggest that S. g. var. guineense is a highly nectariferous apicultural plant. The fructification index of the unprotected flower clusters was significantly higher than that of flower clusters protected from insects. Apis mellifera foraging resulted to a significant increment of the fruiting by 50% in 2006 and 32.9% in 2007. Installation of honeybee colonies close to the population of S. g. var. guineense is recommended to improve fruit and honey production in the region.

 

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ISSN 2071 - 7024

Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences

The Journal of Applied BioSciences