Exploitation of Acacia sieberiana, Allophylus africanus and Flacourtia indica flowers by Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)

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Exploitation of Acacia sieberiana, Allophylus africanus and Flacourtia indica flowers by Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)

Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo, Christian Wékéré, Delphine Nguemo Dongock, Sidonie Fameni Tope
J. Bio. Env. Sci.13( 5), 71-82, November 2018.
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Abstract

To date, in Cameroon, the demand for honey and other hive products is very high, partly because of the absent of the knowledge of the apicultural value of many plant species. This research was conducted to evaluate the apicultural value of Acacia sieberiana DC., Allophylus africanus P. Beauv. and Flacourtia indica (Burm. F.) Merr. Apis mellifera Linnaeus workers foraging activity was studied on the flowers of these plant species, from March to July 2015 and 2016. At Dang, the flowers of each plant species were observed two days per week, between 7am and 18pm, for recording the pollen and/or nectar foraging behaviour of A. mellifera workers. Results showed that, A. mellifera harvested intensely and regularly the nectar of each plant species. In addition, F. indica was visited intensely for pollen; Al. africanus and Ac. sieberiana were also visited for pollen but slightly. The greatest mean number of workers foraging simultaneously in activity per 1000 flowers varied from 210 (Al. africanus) to 634 (Ac. sieberiana). The mean foraging speed varied from 6.53 flowers/min (Ac. sieberiana) to 30.44 flowers/min (Al. africanus) in 2015 and  5.87 flowers/min (Ac. sieberiana) to 23.94 flowers/min (Al. africanus) in 2016. Thus, Ac. sieberiana, Al. africanus and F. indica could be cultivated and protected to increase honey production. Flacourtia indica could enable beekeepers to increase their pollen production as a hive product. During foraging, A. mellifera workers improved pollination possibilities of each plant species.

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