Inventory of plants as food source for Apis sp. and Trigona sp. in Tlekung Batu East Java Indonesia

This study aims to identify plant species and analyze the density (D), frequency (F), Importance Value Index (IVI) of each plant that is a source of food for Apis sp. and Trigona sp. in Tlekung Village. This research was conducted using survey and sampling methods in 3 garden locations where there is honey bee cultivation. Each location has 10 plots, one plot has an area of 1m x 1m. Data analysis using RD, RF, and IVI formulas. The results of the study were 2579 individuals consisting of 37 species from 20 families and 18 orders. The plant species that has the largest IVI is Synedrella nodiflora (66.30) from the family Asteraceae order Asterales as well as recommendations to be provided around the garden to support the feed of Apis sp. and Trigona sp.


Introduction
Pollinators are known as intermediaries in the pollination of flowering plants, both wild plants and agricultural crops.The role of pollinators for humans is to increase agricultural production and conserve plants in nature.However, the decline of pollinators has been reported in various countries, including due to the development of modern agricultural systems, which has resulted in a decrease in the diversity of wild plants that provide food for pollinators [1].The impact of reduced natural or semi-natural habitats caused by agricultural development in the landscape will lead to a decrease in the diversity and population of wild bee pollinators [2,3].
The diversity and population of pollinators in nature are closely related to the diversity and population of flower-producing plants as food sources in the form of pollen and nectar.Diverse flowering plants will be able to provide food sources at one time and throughout the year due to different flowering phenology between plants [4,5].In addition, environmental factors also affect the presence of insects, including temperature, environmental humidity, light intensity, and wind speed.Generally, wind speed affects flight activity in some insects [6].
Pollinators need energy sources for a long period of time compared to the flowering season of a plant [7].This need can be met in nature by the presence of flowering wild plants available in natural or semi natural habitats [8].
Flowering wild plants are plant communities that make up the lower stratification near the soil surface.These plants are generally grasses, herbs, shrubs or low shrubs.These types of vegetation are annual, biannual or perennial with solitary, clumped, erect, creeping or climbing life.Weeds are another term and are included in the understory.Taxonomically, understory vegetation is generally members of the tribes Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Araceae, Asterceae, ferns, and others.The importance of wild plants or so-called agricultural weeds as a source of food for pollinators is partly because they have diverse flower shapes, flower numbers and flowering times [9].
The diversity of flowering plants with different flowering phenology is an alternative food source for insects that will increase the stability and healthy population of pollinators, so the diversity of plants in natural or semi-natural areas around agricultural land will increase the diversity and population of pollinators needed on agricultural land [10].
Tlekung Village, Batu Sub district, Batu City, is one of the rural areas that has the potential to develop various agricultural cultivation businesses and honey bee cultivation, this is supported by the geographical conditions of the region that meet the requirements as a honey bee habitat as well as the agricultural sector.From the agricultural sector, Batu City is the leading agricultural city in East Java in producing fruit and vegetable products.In addition to the plantation sector, the Batu City Government began to conduct various coaching through related agencies or agencies to develop honey bees by utilizing the surrounding nature that is able to provide food for the life of honey bees both nectar and pollen contained in plantation crops, fruit plants, and flowering wild plants.In addition, honey producing insects can also be the main pollinators in flowers cultivated by local residents, for example, guava flowers, orange flowers, durian flowers and other fruit cultivation.This has added value to agricultural production if it is really implemented.
Basically, Batu sub-district already has two types of honey bees, namely Apis sp.And Trigona sp.Which have been nurtured by several local communities by placing bee boxes in the garden or placing them in the forest close to the garden, besides that there are natural forests with various types of plants, plantations, and wild plants that can provide nectar and pollen as food for honey bees and can serve as an ideal habitat for the honey bee farming business.However, problems arise when plantations intensively use pesticides, seasonal flowering periods, and weeding of wild plants that have the potential to provide food sources.This condition causes honey bees to experience food scarcity in certain seasons and causes colony movements.In connection with these conditions, a study was conducted to identify food source plants for pollinators around the Tlekung Village garden.This study is a step to develop a honey cultivation business strategy for the people of Tlekung Village, Batu Subdistrict, Batu City, East Java, Indonesia.

Figure 1. Research location in Batu City
This research was conducted in Tlekung Village, Batu District, Batu Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia in January-April 2023 which has an altitude of 1,500-2,000 meters above sea level with an area of 4,820.40Ha with a temperature range of 18°C-32°C, air humidity around 75-98% and average rainfall of 875 -3000 mm.The research location is in a community garden in which there are bee boxes of Apis sp.And Trigona sp.Totaling 3 locations with an average area of 2000 m² around which there are cultivated plants and wild plants.The method used in this study is a survey method in three locations around the community garden where there are bee boxes to find out the types of plants using plots.

Tools and materials
The tools used include: Knives, bottles, plant scissors, stationery, sasak, identification books and PlantNet applications and cameras.The materials used are: 70% alcohol, aqudest, raffia, cardboard paper, HVS paper, label paper, isolative, plastic bags.

Determination and sampling
Determination of plants is done by identifying all flowering plants around the Plantation to species.Observations of flowering plants were carried out at different sampling locations at each location made 10 sample plots with a size of 1m x 1m, the location of the sample plots was determined randomly considering that wild plants grow in a spread and random manner.Specimens of target plants were collected by exploring the garden area and only one collection was made for each species.If the same species is found, then data collection is carried out on the species.

Descriptions and identification
Each type of flowering plant found, made a complete collection.Observed and recorded parts owned, as well as recording the condition of the plant directly in a state that is still fresh in nature, until complete data is obtained about each species.Identification is done by using the plant determination key and integrated with the PlantNet application.

Plant population density
According to [11] to calculate the density and frequency of each food flora used to determine the Index of Important Value Index (IVI) and the relative importance of plant parameters as follows: Relative Density (RD) (%) = (2) Importance Value Index (IVI) = (5)

Types of nectar and pollen producing plants
To find out the pollen-producing plants, observations were made of honey bees visiting flowers on plants in each location.The observation time is from 08.00 to 15.00.Observations were made as many as 18 replicates.To identify nectar and pollen is done by taking one or two flower samples and then checking the availability of nectar.Checking is done by opening the flower crown then checking the nectar liquid at the base of the flower.Meanwhile, to check for pollen, the anthers and anthers are examined.Pollen is powdery is generally yellow in color. 4

Data analysis
The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed descriptively.

Types of honey bee food source plants
Based on the identification results at the three research locations, there were 37 specimens of pollinators food source plants from the community garden of Tlekung Village, Batu District, East Java, from 20 families and 18 orders.Plants found consisted of fruit plants, and wild plants ( The distribution of plant species in the research locations is uneven, this is due to the provision of plant seeds, management and maintenance of plants or changes in soil status, land management, and others as state by [12] the spread of plants is mostly as a result of human activities in that place such as: forest changes, soil management and planting of crops that change. Observations show that the growth and development of honey bees is highly dependent on the presence of food-producing plants (nectar and pollen) for their survival.The part of the plant that becomes its food is a substance in the form of sweet liquid which is often called nectar and also pollen contained in flowering plants.This is supported by the statement of [13] that most flowering plants can produce nectar and pollen as a food source, including the Lamiaceae family, Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, Papilionaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Malvaceae, and others.
Flowering plants found in Tlekung Village have a variety of aromas, the aroma of flowers is also an attraction as well as a sign of plant species identification for insects.It is likely that the compounds found also function as signals to attract pollinating butterflies, and mean the arrival of the parasitoid Microplitus mediator [15].2).This is in line with the opinion of [16] which states that pollinators spend more time visiting flowers from the Asteraceae family, this is because Asteraceae flowers usually have a small size, flowering throughout the year in producing pollen [17] and have colorful colors that attract the attention of many types of insects such as potential pollinating bees, besides that the aroma produced by Asteraceae flowers also invites insect visitors to come to take nectar or pollen.

Density, frequency, and Importance Value Index of honey bee food source plants
The composition of food source plant species found as many as 2579 individuals of 37 species with the highest IVI is Synedrella nodiflora at 66.30 while the lowest is Gardenia jasminoides at 0.27 (Table 2a and 2b).The RD and RF values are directly proportional to the IVI value and the number of species, so the higher the number of species, the higher the RD, RF, and IV values.Synedrella nodiflora is a flowering wild plant belonging to the Asteraceae tribe that has striking yellow flowers that attract some natural enemy insects and pests, besides that its distinctive smell can attract insects to come to it.From the results of observations, this wild plant is almost a rug around 3 gardens that have Apis sp. and Trigona sp.In addition, honey bees are often found taking nectar from these plants from morning to evening, another reason for the growth of this wild plant is because it does not really need special soil conditions so it can grow on any type of soil.Some of the plants found in Tlekung Village are deliberately planted by the surrounding community such as oranges, guavas, water guavas, bananas, avocados, and durians, where these plants have nectar and pollen which are useful as a source of food for honey bees.The good habits that have been carried out by the community will be very supportive if the local village environment will be used as a honey bee cultivation area.Considering that one of the requirements in the beekeeping business is the availability of food sources for honey bees.
The presence of a variety of flowering plants with striking and diverse colors will have a positive impact on the local ecosystem and be able to increase the abundance of pollinators, especially honey bees which are the main agents.The diversity of flowering plants with different flowering phenology is actually a positive value in increasing the stability and healthy population as a provider of food sources for honey bees, considering that pollinator need energy sources for a long period of time compared to the flowering season of a plant [7].
The environmental potential of Tlekung Village must be maintained and preserved so that the local community's goal of cultivating honey bees can be realized properly.In addition, the community is also expected to increase the diversity of flowering plants, both in the form of ornamental plants and wild plants, especially those classified as "actinomorphic", in addition to the variety of plants that can serve as a conservation biological control by providing shelter and food sources for predatory insects to increase agroecosystem resilience of agroecosystem.

Conclusions
From the results of research in 3 locations in Tlekung Village, Batu District, Batu City which has beekeeping, there are 37 types of plants that are a source of food for honey bees Apis sp. and Trigona sp.With a total of 2579 individuals consisting of 20 families and 18 orders, which are dominated by the Asteraceae family, namely Synedrella nodiflora with a total of 1570 individuals in all sample plots.the results of the calculation of the IVI value show that Synedrella nodiflora has the highest IVI (66.30), thus these plants can be provided or planted around the garden as a source of food.

Figure 2 :
Figure 2: Composition of plants as food sources around the garden [1] Lucas AG, Ingolf SD, Claire K and Juan MR 2011 Stability of pollination services decreases with isolation from natural areas despite honey bee visits Ecol Lett 14(10) pp 1062-72 [2] Rachael W, Ramiro A, Diego PV, Gretchen L and Marcelo AA 2009 A meta-analysis of bees' responses to anthropogenic disturbance Ecology 90(8) pp 2068-76 [3] Neal MW, Elizabeth EC, T'ai HR, Robert LM, Laurence P and Simon GP 2010 "Ecological and life-history traits predict bee species responses to environmental disturbances Biol Conserv 143(10) pp 2280-91

Table 1a .
Table 1a and 1b).Fruit plants in the form of guava (Psidium guajava), water guava (Syzygium aqueum), Durian (Durio zibethinus), Avocado (Persea americana), Banana (Musa paradisiaca) and orange (Citrus nobilis), these plants are a source of food (nectar and pollen) for honey bees.Food source plants of Apis sp. and Trigona sp.around the garden.Food source plants of Apis sp. and Trigona sp.around the garden (continued).