Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the details of collection of floral resources (pollen and nectar) by honeybees (Apis mellifera) on male and hermaphrodite flowers of melon (Cucumis melo). The experiments were conducted in areas located at Embrapa Semiárido and Embrapa Produtos e Mercado, Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, in November and December 2011, with crop of a hybrid yellow 10/00 F1 melon. Honeybee colonies housed in Langstroth hives, uniform concerning the number of individuals and brood area were used. The four experimental areas (0.5 ha each), received respectively 0, 1, 2 and 3 hives, from the first day on which the hermaphrodite flowers appeared to the end of the flowering period of the melon crop. The results showed that the bees visited more the hermaphrodite than the male flowers, in order to collect the resources (pollen and nectar), in all areas where honeybee hives were placed. In general, independently from the number of hives, the resource most collected was nectar. Pollen collection occurred mainly at the first hours of the morning, while nectar was collected throughout the day.

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