Influence of indigenous bee attractants on honey bee visitation and yield parameters of Niger

In the present investigation Two pheromone based attractant namely Citral Z, Citral E and four plant based lures like fruit extract of Fagara budrunga, leaf extract of Swetia densifolia , tuberose scented water and cinnamon leaf extract have been evaluated along with a commercial queen mandibular pheromone based attractant namely Fruit boost. After first spraying of bee attractants, the Fruit boost (16.62 bees/10 flowers/5 minute) was found superior in attracting maximum number of bees. Indigenous attractants Citral Z and Citral E were the next superior enticing 12.32 to 12.20 bees/10 flowers/5 minutes. The plant based attractants viz, S. densifolia, Cinnomon leaf extract, F. budrunga and tuberose floral scented water were on par with each other and attracted more number of bees (11.53 to 9.75 bees /10 flowers/5 minute) followed by control plot (5.39 bees /10 flowers/5 minute). Similar results were found after second application of bee attractants with indigenous pheromone based attractants CitralE and Citral Z performing next best to Fruit boost in enticing bees followed by F. budrunga, Tuberose floral scented water and S. densifolia.