ABUNDANCE OF INSECT POLLINATORS IN A MUSTARD FIELD AT DINAJPUR IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was conducted in the farmer’s mustard field near the campus of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh from November 2020 to March 2021 to identify the insects involved in pollination of mustard and to know their relative abundance. A total number of 24 pollinator insects belonging to 15 families (Apidae, Andrenidae, Halictidae, Scoliidae, Tenthredinidae, Muscidae, Calliphoridae, Rhiniidae, Syrphidae, Arctiide, Crambidae, Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Plutellidae and Coccinellidae) and 4 orders (Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera) were observed associated with mustard (Brassica rapa) crop on BARI Sarisha-17. Among the orders, the Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera were found as 49.8%, 42.0%, 7.4% and 0.6%, respectively. However, Hymenopterans insects were evident the pre-dominant floral visitors. Indian honey bee, Apis cerana showed the highest abundance (23.2%) followed by Rock bee, Apis dorsata (13.8%), Rhiniid blowfly, Stomorhina sp. (10.5%).