Environment, Natural Resources and Desertification Research Institute, National Centre for Research-Khartoum, Sudan.

Environment, Natural Resources and Desertification Research Institute, National Centre for Research-Khartoum, Sudan.
Bees ,Distribution ,Population density ,Solenostemma argel ,Sudan ,

Northern Sudan lies within the bee zone of Africa, but the situation looks different as the occurrence of wild honeybee, Apis mellifera, seems to be limited in this region. Field surveys were conducted in such area to investigate the population densities and distribution of A. mellifera and A. florea (a newly introduced dwarf bee) as affected by the prevailing conditions. Among such limiting factors, argel (Solenostemma argel) plant was detected for the first time in this study to act as a bee killer. Argel flowers were observed to trap A. florea through a sticky material and dense hairs, causing > 50% mortality of foraging bees. Then, a comparative study on distribution of bees along the Nile River confirmed that the densities of both honeybee species were very low in the argel area (Abu-Hammed Locality) and northwards as compared with areas southwards. This suggested the detrimental effect of this plant on the buildup and distribution of bees in the Northern State, which needs to be fully evaluated. Moreover, other important natural and climatic factors affecting honeybees in the area were briefly discussed. However, rehabilitation of the north may change the area to be more attractive for bees’ establishment.

5 , 3 , 2015