Influence of Weather Parameters on Foraging Activity of Stingless Bee, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith during Winter in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Foraging activity of stingless bees are influenced by unpredictable environmental variables. The study on Influence of weather parameters on foraging activity of stingless bee, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith during winter was conducted from October, 2022 to January, 2023. Irrespective of winter months, peak activity of outgoing bees was observed from 1100-1600 hr, nectar carrying bees from 1100-1500 hr, pollen carrying bees from 1200-1400 hr and resin carrying bees from 1200-1500 hr. Hourly temperature and wind speed had positive correlation with foraging activity, whereas, the hourly relative humidity and precipitation negatively affected the foraging activity of T. iridipennis. Among forage carrying bees, the number of nectar carrying bees were maximum, followed by pollen and resin carrying bees (N>P >R) during winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]