Variation of plant species as feed sources in honey beekeeping in Jambi and South Sumatera Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Plant species as a feed source for honey bees are an important factor in their survival. In addition to supporting the production process of honey bees, plants also affect the quality of honey produced. This study aimed to study plant species’ presence in honey bees’ lives and behaviors. The research used a survey method with honey beekeepers as respondents in Jambi and South Sumatra, asking about various plants grown around rearing boxes. Beekeepers have planted various plants producing pollen, resin, and nectar. Plants can also be categorized into three major groups: annual fruit, ornamental, and industrial plants. The distance between plants and rearing boxes will affect the different behaviors of honey bees. In honeybees such as Apis cerana, planting was done at a radius of 5–100 meters, while Apis mellifera in Jambi was mostly farmed around acacia and oil palm trees. For stingless bees, such as Heterotrigona itama, the presence of plants must be closer, considering their ability to fly was more limited than that of honey bees. Ornamental plants such as Antigonon flavescens were visited by honey bees in the morning (7–9 am) and afternoon (3–5 pm), while annual fruit plants were visited in the morning (7–9 am).