Evaluation of various honeybee foraging activities for identification of potential bee plants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Foraging activities of honeybee, Apis mellifera L.) on various flowering plants were studied during the year, 2003 under Riyadh environmental conditions. The results of the study indicated Ocimum basilicum, Borag officinolis, Portuloco spp., Eruca sativa, Helianthus annuus L., Pansia spp. and Eucalyptus rostrata for spring season, Ocimum basilicum, Portuloco spp., Helianthus annuus L., and Cucumis spp. for summer season, Portuloco spp., Ocimum basilicum, Helianthus annuus L., Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon dactylon for autumn season and Brassica juncea, Helianthus annuus L., Eruca sativa, Acacia farmesiana and Acacia salicina for winter season as most promising bee plants during their flowering periods in relation to various honeybee activities. Average various honeybee activities reached the maximum at 9-11 a.m. during spring, 7-9 a.m. during summer, 7-11 a.m. during autumn and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during winter. Weak correlation between various honeybee activities and temperature and relative humidity were also obtained.