Diversity of bees in two crops in an agroforestry ecosystem in Kangsabati South Forest Division, Purulia, West Bengal, India

Abstract

The investigation study assesses the diversity of bees in Brinjal Solanum melongena L. and Ridge Gourd Luffa acutangula L. crop field from agroforestry ecosystem in South Kangsabati Forest Division, India. The study was carried out in  May 2021 to May 2022 that based on transect, focal observation and pan trap samplings. A total of 1,085 individuals were identified during the field work, belonging to three family seven genera (Apis, Tetragonula, Xylocopa, Ceratina, Amegelia, Nomia, and Megachile) and seventeen species, the non Apis bees (63.78%) were most abundant than Apis bees (36.22%). In brinjal, Shannon diversity index of bees is 2.12 and Shannon evenness index is 0.35, whereas, Shannon diversity index in ridge gourd was 1.94 and Shannon evenness index is 0.3. The observations signify greater diversity and population of wild bees. The natural habitat close to agricultural land helps to sustain the diversity and population of wild bees, which enhance the crop quality and yield.