ASSESSMENT OF POLLINATION POTENTIAL BY APIS FLOREA IN THE KALABURAGI REGION, KARNATAKA

Pollination is a critical ecosystem service that significantly influences agricultural productivity and biodiversity. The small honeybee, Apis florea, is known for its efficiency in pollinating various crops and wild plants. This study assesses the pollination potential of Apis florea in the Kalaburagi region, Karnataka, a prominent agricultural zone with diverse floral resources. The research aims to evaluate the floral preferences, visitation rates and the subsequent impact of Apis florea on crop yield and native flora. Field studies were conducted in selected agricultural and natural sites across Kalaburagi. Observations focused on the bee’s foraging behavior, including visitation frequency, pollen load analysis and pollination efficiency on key crops such as sunflower, cotton and pigeon pea. Environmental parameters like temperature, humidity and floral density were recorded to understand their influence on Apis florea activity. Results revealed that Apis florea exhibits high visitation rates and significant pollination efficiency, contributing to improved fruit and seed set in studied crops. Additionally, the bee showed a strong preference for certain native flora, highlighting its ecological role. The study underscores the importance of conserving Apis florea and its habitat to sustain pollination services and agricultural productivity. These findings emphasize the need for integrated pollinator management practices to enhance the role of Apis florea in the Kalaburagi region. Future research could explore long-term impacts of environmental changes on its pollination potential.