author(s)
Anandhabhairavi N, Ambethgar V and Philip Sridhar R

abstract
The present study entitled “Foraging behavior of Indian bee, Apis cerana indica Fab. on cucumber”. Studies on Indian bee abundance, pollen and nectar foraging period, time spent, on Cucumis sativus flowers and number of flowers visited by Indian bee at different hours. The result revealed that highest activity of Apis cerana indica 2.57 bees/ m²/5 min at 0800 h. The peak pollen collection activity of Indian bee was observed in the morning hours from 0800 to 1000h of the day. The peak activity of nectar collection of Indian bee was observed in the morning from 1000- 1200h of the day. The nectar collection activity ceased at 1400h. The mean maximum time spent by Indian bee was 46.75secs/flower at 0800-1000h. The Time spent between 0800h and 1000h shows significantly higher for bee foraging than the other timing intervals. The mean number of flowers visited by A. c. indica population was maximum at 0800-1000h (5.0 flowers / minute). The number of flowers visitation was minimum at 1200-1400h (2.2 flowers / minute). There is no visitation of A. c. indica population at 1400-1600 and1600-1800h, indicating that significantly higher number of flower visitation occurs during 0800-1000h than the other timing intervals.