Comparison of Pollination Activity among Apis mellifera L.,Apis cerana Fab., and Bombus terrestris L. in Apple Blossom

Apple trees rely primarily on insects as pollinators, and in Korea, Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris are commonly used. However, due to the recent decline in A. mellifera populations, research into alternative pollinators is being conducted. In China, Osmia excavata has been suggested as a substitute, but its limited availability in Korea makes it difficult for farmers to use. In other Asian countries, Apis cerana is used as a pollinator due to its resistance to disease and cold weather. This study aimed to compare the pollination efficiency of A. cerana with A. mellifera and B. terrestris. The experiment was conducted from April 20 to May 7, 2023, in two enclosed net houses located in Chungju, South Korea. Four camcorders were installed in each net house to observe bee activity. The results indicated no significant difference in the flower visit frequency between A. mellifera and A. cerana, but B. terrestris had the fewest visits. A. cerana spent the shortest time per flower, while B. terrestris stayed the longest. Although there was no significant difference in total activity time among the species, A. cerana began its activities earlier than A. mellifera. When examining the number of bees entering and exiting the hives, A. cerana exhibited the most active behavior, while B. terrestris was the least active. These results suggest that A. cerana has potential as a pollinator, though economic challenges remain. It is recommended that A. cerana be used as a supplementary pollinator. As this study was conducted in a limited location and closed environment, further research across different regions is needed to validate these findings.