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Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2019 | Volume: 19 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 121-127
DOI: 10.3923/jas.2019.121.127
Comparative Study of Forage Plants by Apis mellifera adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Osun State, Nigeria
Fasasi Kamilu Ayo and Afolabi Mariam Adunni

Abstract: Background and Objective: The quality of beehive products by Apis mellifera adansonii in different ecological zones is dependent on the quality and quantity of rich flora sources available within their explorative environment. The study investigated and compared forage plant species patronized by A. mellifera adansonii at Ejigbo and Osogbo districts. Materials and Methods: Plant species visited by honeybees which exhibited explorative behavior for at least 5-15 min with pollen loads were identified. Visit frequencies of honeybees on identified plant species were recorded using Capture-Mark-Recapture method. Results: Twenty-one plant species belonging to 15 families were identified being visited by A. mellifera adansonii as nectar and pollen sources at both districts. Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae), Melanthera rhombifolia (Asteraceae), Tridax procumbens (Asteraceae), Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Verbenaceae), Stachytarpheta indica (Verbenaceae), Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), Carica papaya (Caricaceae), Cola nitida (Sterculiaceae), Clerodendrum dusenii (Lamiaceae), Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae), Manihot esculenta (Euphorbiaceae), Scoparia dulcis (Plantaginaceae), Sida scabrida (Malvaceae), Solanum gilo (Solanaceae), Talium triangulare (Portulacaceae), Vernonia amygdalina (Compositae), Zea mays (Poaceae) were identified honeybees’ foraged plants at Ejigbo. Carica papaya, C. odorata, M. rhombifolia, S. scabrida, S. indica, T. triangulare, T. procumbens and Z. mays were common at both districts. Results showed no significant differences (p>0.05) in the visitation intensity on identified honeybees’ foraged plant species across both districts. This implies that honeybees probably patronize plant species with preferred rewarding food sources despite ecological differences and distance. Conclusion: It is recommended that rewarding plant species should be identified and cultivated in different ecological zones to boost production of beehives’ products.

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How to cite this article
Fasasi Kamilu Ayo and Afolabi Mariam Adunni, 2019. Comparative Study of Forage Plants by Apis mellifera adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Osun State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences, 19: 121-127.

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