Correlation and Path-Coefficient Analysis of Environmental Factors Influencing Flight Activity ofApis FloreaF.

SummaryInterrelationships between flight activity of the little honeybee, Apis florea, and abiotic and biotic environmental factors were studied by both simple correlation and path-coefficient analysis. Bee activity was positively correlated with air temperature, light intensity, solar radiation and nectar-sugar concentration and negatively with relative humidity. Path-coefficient analysis revealed whether the relationship expressed by a simple correlation was direct or indirect. Of the five factors studied only relative humidity and solar radiation were found to influence flight activity directly. As a high correlation did not necessarily indicate a direct influence, the use of path-coefficient analysis in conjunction with correlation is recommended.