Abstract
The effectiveness of using the European honeybee Apis mellifera as pollinators of eggplants in greenhouses was examined by analyzing foraging behavior on flowers and the effects of pollination. Foraging honeybees were observed to move the tips of eggplant anthers up and down repeatedly using their forelegs and mouthparts, create pollen loads on their hind legs, and forage on 65% to 82% of the total pollen per flower. Transfer of pollen to the stigma, number of seeds per fruit, and eggplant fruiting were increased significantly by visiting honeybees compared to no visits. Therefore, we conclude that honeybees are effective pollinators of greenhouse eggplants.
