Response of Apis mellifera syriaca and A. m. armeniaca to nectar variations: Implications for agriculture

Abstract

The foraging ecology of Apis mellifera syriaca and A. m. armeniaca was studied using artificial flower patches consisting of blue, white, and yellow flowers. Two experiments were performed with each race. Experiment I examined forager response to differences in sucrose reward molarity (quality of reward) associated with flower colors. Experiment II varied the quantity of sucrose reward associated with flower colors. A. m. syriaca and A. m. armeniaca each responded to quality and quantity differences between blue and white flowers. Prior studies show that A. m. caucasica and A. m. ligustica respond to reward quality difference, but they do not respond to reward quantity difference between blue and white flowers. However, all four subspecies partition foragers between yellow flowers, and the group consisting of blue-white flowers. The basic foraging differences of Apis mellifera subspecies may be useful for different agricultural pollination tasks to increase large scale crop productivity.