Abrol, Dr. D.P.Mondal, Amit2018-08-022018-08-022018-0736316J-14-D-214-Ahttp://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810062964The present experimentation studied the bumblebee species diversity, floral resources and their spatial foraging distribution in Jammu division for the consecutive two years i.e., 2016 and 2017. The entire Jammu region was divided into six locations i.e., Kathua, Rajouri, Banihal, Batote and Bhaderwah and each location was further divided into sub-locations. The selected locations of the study were categorized into three main zones i.e., Sub-tropics, intermediate and temperate zone on the basis of elevations or altitudes. The elevation ranging from Chatha (280m) to Kot Bhalwal (422 m) amsl in sub-tropics whereas, Intermediate zone comprises Reasi (477m) to Chenani (1022 m). The temperate zone ranges from Chandrakot (above 1000m) to Kishtwar Padder (2214 m amsl). Zonewise list of bumblebees species include two species from sub-tropics, four species from intermediate zone and seven species of bumblebees were recorded visiting the different plants in different landscapes of Jammu region. In-toto, seven (7) different types of bumblebee species such as B. haemorrhoidalis, B. simillimus, B. tunicatus, B. trifasciatus, B. melanurus, B. asiaticus and Bombus pyrosoma were recorded during the course of study. Among the 7 different species of bumblebee, two species viz., B. pyrosoma and B. asiaticus were recorded for the first time from Jammu region. The host range were found to be expanded during second year i.e., 2017 wherein, 19 plants from sub-tropics, 27 plants from intermediate zone and 17 plants from temperate zone were recorded. Among the different floral crops surveyed during two years of study, the maximum number of bumblebee species were recorded on Asteraceae family plants (11) followed by Lamiaceae family plants (7) and Leguminaceae family plants (6). Among the cultivated plants, Solanaceae family contains maximum number of plants (4) followed by Cucurbitaceae and brassicaceae family plants (3 each). Species diversity index and richness of bumblebees is found to be highest at altitudinal range of 1200–1800 m (0.097321 and 1.079004 respectively) followed by 0-600 m (0.09004 and 0.414914). Altitude levels 0-600 m and 1200–1800 m show more richer in species diversity of Bumble bees whereas, altitude level 1200–1800 m is most species rich. Bhaderwah pockets (1200–1800m) (including Gwari, Sartangal, Hanga and Jai valley) contributes maximum number of bumblebee diversity followed by Nathatop and Banihal region of Jammu. Foraging behaviour and ecology of bumblebee through caged experimentation in brinjal crop at Udheywalla showed that maximum no. of flowers visitation by B. haemorrhoidalis were recorded between 10.00 to 12.00 hrs with 6.2 /5 plants/10 min. Fruit set was found to be significantly higher (78.43 %) followed by open pollination (69.61%) and hand pollination (48.71 %). The percentage increase over control was also found higher in bumblebee pollination (232.76 per cent) as compare to open pollination (206.58 per cent) and hand pollination (144.58 per cent). The pollinators study in connection of foraging ecology on sesame, recorded seventeen species of native pollinators as a frequent visitors wherein, three species of Bumblebees namely B. haemorrhalis, B. trifasciatus and Bombus simillimus was found to be a was prominent pollinator along with six species of Megachilid bees in Intermediate areas of Jammu region.ennullThesis