Abstract
Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) is a monoecious crop with sticky and large sized pollen, and it completely depends on insects for pollination. This study identified six insects pollinators viz., Bombus sp., Apis cerana himalaya, Xylocopa sp., Trigona sp., Peponapis sp. and Syrphus sp. Bombus sp. and Xylocopa sp. were observed to be the relatively most abundant. Highest foraging speed and foraging rate was observed with Xylocopa sp. and A. cerana himalaya, respectively. Comparative study revealed that Xylocopa sp. and Bombus sp. carried maximum pollen load, though, amount of pollen and viable pollen deposition by Xylocopa sp. were significantly high, Bombus sp., deposited maximum amount of % viable pollen (41.16%). Hence, Xylocopa sp. and Bombus sp. can be the efficient pollinators of sponge gourd. Further research is needed to study the effect of these pollinators on yield and plant pollinators’ interaction.
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