Diurnal flight activity of African bees Apis mellifera adansonii in different seasons and zones of Ghana

Abstract - The number of Apis mellifera adansonii worker bees returning to the hive during 5 min was counted every 0.5-1.0 h throughout the day. The investigations were conducted during the dry and rainy season in 3 zones of Ghana. The pattern of flight activity in different zones did not differ much within each season. However, it differed greatly between seasons. In the rainy dearth season, a single peak of foraging activity occurred during the morning. Two peaks of foraging activity occurred during the honey flow, winter dry season; one shortly after sunrise and the other shortly before sunset. The presence of the second evening peak is explained by nectar availability.