Partial Solar Eclipse Affects Apis Mellifera L Forging Activity

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.