Attractant and repellent properties of Swertia densifolia leaf extract towards Apis cerana indica
Author(s)
D G Naik,Chitra Dandge, Hemalata Puntambekar and Tejaswini Patil
Abstract
Leaf extract of the plant Swertia densifolia was shown to possess attractant and repellent properties towards honey bees, Apis cerana indica. Formulations in liquid paraffin of lower concentrations were repellent, whereas those of higher concentrations were found to be attractant. Optimization of concentrations for the best attractant and repellent activity was achieved. This would help beekeepers prepare ‘lures’ or ‘repellents’ directly from the leaves.
