Diversity and relative abundance of insect visitors to litchi inflorescence with special reference to the foraging behaviour of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

The study on insect pollinators of litchi, revealed 227 specimens of insect fauna belonging to 24 species of six different orders and 15 families. Hymenoptera, (belonging to Apidae, Andrenidae, Megachilidae, Vespidae and Sphecidae) was the most dominant (72.68%), followed by Diptera (19.38%), Coleoptera (3.08%), Lepidoptera (2.2%), Hemipter (1.76%) and the lowest, Odonata (0.88%). Among Hymenopterans, Honeybees were the pre-dominant insect pollinators (72.68%), viz-Apis florea (37%), A. cerana (15.41%), A. mellifera (7.04%) and A. dorsata (3.08%) on litchi bloom. Foraging activity of A. mellifera began early in the morning (mean 5 53h) and cessation of flight took place at evening (mean 18 01h). While the mean foraging speed of A. mellifera was maximum at 9 00h, the minimum foraging speed was at 17 00 h. Maximum foraging rate was observed at 17 00 and minimum at 1100h.