author(s)
Venkatesh Hosamani, Reddy MS, Venkateshalu, Hanumanthaswamy BC, Lingamurthi KR, Ashoka N and Ravikumar B

abstract
A study on the foraging activity of bees (Apis cerana) indicates that, in summer, the peak foraging activity of bees were 28.00, 24.30 and 24.63 bees / 5 min (with pollen) and 24.35, 26.68 and 26.98 bees / 5 min found during 0800, 0900 and 1000, respectively. The highest pollen quantity recorded during 1200 to 1800 hours ranges from 90 to 98 mg/ 10 bees. In kharif, the peak foraging activity of bees were 21.63, 24.68 and 21.33 bees / 5 min (with pollen) and 26.68, 30.08 and 36.10 bees / 5 min found during 0900, 1000 and 1100, respectively. Pollen quantity has increased in the later months of August and September it ranges from 10 to 68 mg/10 bees. In rabi, the peak foraging activity of bees were 21.80, 24.88 and 23.60 bees (with pollen) and 31.68, 31.98 and 30.10 bees / 5 min found during 0900, 1000 and 1100 h, respectively. The highest pollen quantity of 118.16±0.5 mg followed by 110.48±0.5 mg in January. The least pollen quantity from 10 bees recorded in the early hours of the day of October month (56.00 ±1.0 mg). among the natural enemies greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella were dominated and causing damage to bee colony to the tune of 15-30%. Next in the order of importance yellow banded wasp, Vespa cincta which caused mortality of 5-6% of bee colonies in the region.