Partial Solar Eclipse Affects Apis Mellifera L Forging Activity

Authors

  • Amit Choudhary Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004
  • Bharathi Mohindru Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004
  • Ramandeep Kaur Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004
  • Jaspal Singh Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004
  • Pardeep K. Chhuneja Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2024.708

Keywords:

Apis mellifera, bees’ activity, digital bee counter, partial solar eclipse, ordinary day, peak obscuration, foragers, entry. exit, hive, temperature, humidity.

Abstract

Bees use sun’s position for navigation and thus a solar eclipse may affect this capability. Present study was conducted during partial solar eclipse on June 21, 2020 at Ludhiana, Punjab. Apis mellifera L foragers’ activity at the hive entrance was recorded through a digital bee counter. Bees’ activity increased normally, i.e. 771 and 823 bees/ 15 mins coming in and going out of the hive, respectively before the start of eclipsephase. At peak obscuration it decreased slightly but non-significantly. Changes in hive temperature andhumidity might have limited the recruitment of foragers. Hence, no peak activity was recorded duringpeak obscuration, which otherwise was recorded on ordinary days at 1345 hr.

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Published

2024-01-23

How to Cite

Choudhary, A., Mohindru, B., Kaur, R., Singh, J., & Chhuneja, P. K. (2024). Partial Solar Eclipse Affects <i>Apis Mellifera</i> L Forging Activity. Indian Journal of Entomology, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2024.708

Issue

Online First

Section

Research Articles
Crossref
Scopus
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Europe PMC

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