Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF BUMBLE BEE (BOMBUS BREVICEPS SMITH) IN LARGE CARDAMOM (AMOMUM SUBULATUM ROXB.) AT DZONGU, NORTH SIKKIM

T.N. Deka, B. A. Gudade, K. A. Saju, A.K. Vijayan and P. Chhetri

Abstract

Field observations were recorded at Dzongu, North Sikkim in the month of April, during 2010 and 2011 to evaluate the foraging behavior of Bumble bee (Bombus breviceps) in large cardamom. The results indicated that bumble bees B. breviceps was the main pollinator in the plantation. Honey bee, Apis cerana indica and Apis dorsata seldom visited the flowers. First visit by the bumble bee was recorded at 05-26 hr. and the bee completed visit at 17-47 hr. In cloudy and drizzling weather also the bee continued to visit the large cardamom flowers. Frequency of visit was recorded highest in between 11.00 to 14.00 hr. and 17.00 – 18.00 hr. Foraging time was highest in between 06.00 to 07.00 hr. while it was lowest in 12.00 noon to 13.00 hr.