MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION ON POLLEN FROM FORAGING ACTIVITY OF INDO-MALAYAN STINGLESS BEE SPECIES (Heterotrigona itama) IN BESUT, TERENGGANU

Shamsul Bahri AR and Asma’-Samsudin

Abstract

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION ON POLLEN FROM FORAGING ACTIVITY OF INDO-MALAYAN STINGLESS BEE SPECIES (Heterotrigona itama) IN BESUT, TERENGGANU

 Shamsul Bahri AR [1]and Asma’-Samsudin

Apis and Meliponine Research Group, School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu.

Pollen distribution from the pollen loads of stingless bee foragers in KampungTempinis, Besut, Terengganu was observed and recorded using optical microscope. Heterotrigona itama, one of the most common Indo-Malayan stingless bee species domesticated and widely distributed throughout Malaysia was selected for this observation.The objective of this study was to have an annual bee calendar for H. itama in Besut. Pollen collection was carried out twice a month from January to June 2015. Results showed, during the six months period of observation H. itama foraged 31 different flowering plants. Different months of the year showed different floral preference by the stingless bee. The most dominant flower visited by the stingless bee in January and February is Stevia rebaudiana while March to June is Antigonon leptopus (Honolulu creeper). This observation could be useful for conservation purposes and also in planning a good beescape in Malaysia meliponiculture industry.

 Keywords: Stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama, palynology

[1] Corresponding author: Tel: +6 09 668 4979

Email: shamsul@umt.edu.my