Seasonal variation and characterisation of pollen collected by honeybee Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier in southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The ability of honeybees to successfully grow, reproduce and build strong colonies and produce honey depends on theirability to obtain enough resources fromflowering plants within appropriate seasons. However, little is known aboutseasonal variations and characterisation of honeybee pollen collected in Ethiopia. Therefore, to address this, a total of2160 pollen samples were collected fromfive districts in different seasons for two years. The pollen samples wereacetolysed and taxonomically identified. The pollen type was classified into frequency categories based on its relativeabundance. Diversity indices and species richness were also calculated and compared between districts and seasons. Thehighest species richness was recorded in Guraferda district, while the lowest was recorded in Godare district. The springseason was considered the most suitable as it has the highest richness in all districts. The‘predominant’and‘secondary’pollen sources were identified from different plant genera in Asteraceae (62.23%), Mimosaceae (23.59%), Myrtaceae(43.76%), Poaceae (27.25%), Rubiaceae (36.64%), Combretaceae (28.14%), Euphorbiaceae (18.97%), Burseraceae(16.35%), Convolvulaceae (16.52%), Solanaceae (21.40%), Icacinaceae (17.86%), and Dichapetalaceae (16.35%).Terminaliaspp. (Combretaceae) had the highest pollen counts and are common in the area. Other species with significantpollen counts includedAcaciaspp. (Mimosaceae), Croton macrostachyus(Euphorbiaceae), Eucalyptus camaldulensis(Myrtaceae), Vernoniaspp. (Asteraceae) andIodesspp. (Icacinaceae). This study indicated that southwest Ethiopia hasgreat potential for honey production and beekeeping business based on the study of pollen collected. Thus, these resultshelp as a guide to the optimal use offlora resources by a honeybee in the areas