Pollen Preference of Honeybees Depending on Protein Contents

Year 2021, Volume: 13 Issue: 1, 1 - 4, 28.07.2021

Şeref Cınbırtoğlu , Fazıl Güney

https://doi.org/10.51458/BSTD.2021.10

Abstract

This study was carried out in the spring period of 2013 and 2015 in Turkey. Pollen traps were attached to the colonies when the flight activity starts, in the flowering period of March, April, and May. The reference pollen slides were prepared, and pollens collected by bees were determined using reference pollen slides by microscopic examination. The protein contents of the bee pollens were also evaluated. Protein contents of pollens varied between 7.27%-24.90% in 2013 and 7.47%-21.82% in 2015. The highest protein content was determined in Lamium purpureum L., while the lowest protein was found in Carex sp. Honeybees preferred mostly the pollens of Laurocerasus officinalis R., Ornithogalum sp. and Taraxacum officinale W. in March, Juglans regia L., and Bellis perennis L. in April, Diospyros lotus L., and Trifolium repens L. in May.

Keywords

Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), Lamium purpureum L., pollen choice, protein, Trifolium repens L.

Supporting Institution

Ordu University, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute Directorate

Project Number

BAP TF-1302

Thanks

This study is a part of the MSc thesis and supported by Ordu University, with BAP TF-1302 project number. Analyses were carried out at the Ordu Apiculture Research Institute Directorate. The authors also thank these institutions for supporting with facilities.

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