Foraging Behaviour of Bees as Influenced by Quality and Quantity of Rewards from Flowers

Foraging behaviour of four honeybee species (Apis mellifera A. cerana, A. dorsata and A, florea) was studied in relation to energy production rates of Prunus persica and a simultaneously blooming weed, Lepidagathus incurva. Energy produced ranged from a minimum of 0.642±0.01 joules (L. /“cwrra)/flower/day to a maximum of 1.49±0.14 joules/day (P. persico). The weed having higher nectar sugar concentration and high flowering density attracted more number of bees as compared to peach. The foraging rates of bees were much higher on the weed and they could harvest more energy per unit time from the weed flowers. Evidently, food acquisition efficiency and quality of food determines the foraging decision of bees.