Jenis - Jenis Tumbuhan Sumber Polen dan Analisis Faktor Lingkungan terhadap Aktivitas Terbang Heterotrigona itama (Cockerell, 1918) di Desa Bongguron, Kabupaten Simalungun

Abstract

Heterotrigona itama is one of the bees that is widely found in tropical areas such as Indonesia. These bees do not have stingers and live in colonies. H. itama can produce honey, propolis, bee bread and also play a role in plant pollination. The role or benefits of H. itama can run well if its food needs are met. These bees collect pollen that is used as a source of food. This study aims to identify plants that play a role as a source of pollen and analyze the flying activity of H. itama in collecting pollen. Observations were made on three colonies of H. itama. To identify pollen source plants, the acetolysis method is used. It was found that 14 species of plants are the source of pollen for Heterotrigona itama. Pollen from Lagenaria siceraria (73.17%) is the most dominant species found in colony one, pollen from Dombeya burgessiae (48.83%) is the most dominant species found in colony two and pollen from Dombeya burgessiae (15.79%) is also the most dominant species found in colony three. Heterotrigona itama performs flying activities starting in the morning from the presence of sunlight and ending in the afternoon. H. itama's flying activities include flying out of the nest, entering the nest, entering the nest carrying pollen and entering the nest carrying resin. The peak of nest exit activity occurs at 10.00 WIB, the peak of nest entry activity without carrying pollen at 11.20 WIB, the peak of nest entry activity carrying pollen at 08.20 WIB and the peak of nest entry activity carrying resin at 07.40 WIB. Environmental factors such as temperature, air humidity and light intensity affect the flying activity of H. itama in collecting pollen. However, another important factor is the availability of pollen source plants around the hive that can meet the food needs of the H. itama colony.