Pollination Efficiency of Native vs. Non native Bee Species in Western India

Pollination is a critical ecological service that sustains biodiversity and agricultural productivity. In India, particularly in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, both native and non-native bee species contribute to pollination. However, their relative efficiency remains underexplored. This study investigates the pollination efficiency of native versus non-native bee species in Karanjali, Taluka Peth, District Nashik, Maharashtra. The region’s rich floral diversity and subtropical climate make it an ideal site for comparative pollination studies. Native bees such as Xylocopa, Tetragonula, and Apis cerana indica are adapted to local flora and exhibit specialized behaviors like buzz pollination. Non-native species, notably Apis mellifera, are widely introduced for commercial pollination but may lack ecological compatibility. Field observations, pollen deposition analysis, and fruit set measurements were conducted to assess efficiency. Preliminary findings suggest that native bees outperform non-native counterparts in terms of single-visit efficiency and flower fidelity, especially for indigenous crops. This research underscores the importance of conserving native pollinators and integrating them into sustainable agricultural practices. The study contributes to ecological understanding and offers practical insights for biodiversity conservation and agroecosystem management in Western India.