A subset of wild bee species boosts the pollination of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan: Fabaceae), an important crop plant of Cameroon

Abstract

Bee species are thought to vary in their pollination efficiency, but they are rarely compared, particularly in the tropics. Here we determined the role in the pollination of 13 native bee species (Apis mellifera and 12 other wild bee species) when visiting pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) flowers across two growing seasons in Cameroon. Using observations of floral visits coupled with a field experiment to quantify single-visit pollination efficiency, we found that Chalicodoma rufipes was the most efficient pollinator and most abundant flower visitor of pigeon pea. Most other flower visitors, including Apis mellifera, detracted from pigeon pea seed set. Our study highlights the importance of quantifying pollination to reveal functionally important bee species.