Mapping of key bee flora of upper Gangetic region of India – a palynological assessment through regional honeys

Fifty‐one regional honey samples, collected mainly from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh districts, were studied to determine the pollen composition. Pollen spectra of the local honeys varied according to the vegetation type utilized by the bees within this floristically diverse region. Eight pollen types from Uttarakhand and seven from Uttar Pradesh were the predominant pollen types in honey and included both local naturalized flora as well as cultivated crops. The investigation revealed that in addition to already known bee forage (e.g. Brassica, Coriandrum, and Litchi) some other species including Eucalyptus, Callistemon that are planted for social forestry programs, are also heavily utilized as pollen and nectar sources by honey bees in urban and semi urban areas. Naturalized flora including Myrica, Rumex, Erigeron are also utilized and therefore are important for apiculture in these regions.