Conservation Strategies of Apis dorsata in Urban Communities through Pentas lanceolata and Hibiscus rosa sinensis

Abstract

Apis dorsata (Fab) is considered to be an extremely important insect species in agriculture. Conservation of these insect varieties in urban communities is the sole aim of this research study; Rapid urbanization has caused a threat to this species. From the following study, flower visitations of A. dorsata were observed regularly for three years on 17 plants in an urban garden in Bangalore. Among the plants observed, Apis dorsata visited two plants namely Hibiscus rosa sinensis and Pentas lanceolate. The mean visits (pooled) recorded on H. rosa sinensis and P. lanceolate was 2.13/sqm/ 2minutes and 2.48 sqm/ 2minutes at 10 am. At 1pm mean visits (pooled) recorded was H. rosa sinensis 0.41/sqm/ 2minutes and P. lanceolate 0.53 /sqm/ 2minutes and at 4pm H. rosa sinensis 0.19 /sqm/ 2minutes and P. lanceolate 0.23 /sqm/ 2minutes. Pentas and Hibiscus put in urban gardens would thereby increase the population of the  giant bee. A. dorsata. This is significant as A. dorsata is dwindling due to urbanization and loss of floral resources.