Researches on the pollination of some fruits by honey bees (Apis mellifera) and determination of pollen flow

Although the importance of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the pollination of both cultivated fruits and wild fruit species that show natural distribution and the survival of insect pollinated plant species are known, their reasons for the pollen source selection are still unknown. Honey bees, which have a very important position among pollinator insects, need to be known more closely in order to maintain balance and biodiversity in nature and to sustain agricultural activities. Many scientific researches have been conducted to understand honey bees' behavioral patterns, life cycles and the food sources they prefer to survive, with cause and effect relationships. Pollination research was conducted with bee colonies placed in the olive grove on the forest border on the mountain slope of Akharem Village Mart Bayırı Mevkii of Orhangazi District, Bursa Province, in May, June, July and August in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In the study, some wild fruit species that show natural distribution in the region and some fruit species that are cultivated were discussed. By identifying the botanical origin of bee pollen collected from the hives on a weekly basis, the ratio of pollens of eight fruit species consisting of Chestnut, Blackberry, Rosehip, Medlar, Wild Grape, Lotus Plum, Olive and Kiwi is determined, while the data for three years are taken into account and examined; The effects of the conditions such as the populations of the species in the region and their distance to the apiary on the pollen source preferences of the bees were determined. In this study, it was found that the wind speed and direction play a determinant role in the pollen source preferences of bees. It is thought that olives have priority as a source of pollen when the climatic conditions are not suitable for long distances. It has been observed that color information in hive pollens facilitates the identification of pollen. The color, size and similar morphological data of the pollens of the species were listed and recorded for use in future scientific studies. KEYWORDS: Honey Bee, Apis mellifera, Pollen, Pollination