Observations of insect visitors to Price’s Potato Bean (Apios priceana, Fabaceae) in North Alabama, USA

Abstract

Background and aims – Apios priceana is a rare flowering plant that can only be found in parts of the Southeastern United States. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this plant and only a few insect flower visitors have been previously documented. The aim of this study was to further document the insect flower visitors of A. priceana in North Alabama.Methods – Cameras and observers recorded flower visitors during the 2014 blooming season of a large North Alabama population of A. priceana.Key results – Although fifteen different species of insects were documented on flowers of A. priceana, most performed a single or very few visits. Bumble bees ( Bombus spp.), two species of Megachilidae ( Megachile sculpturalis and Megachile campanulae ), and the hummingbird clearwing ( Hemaris thysbe ) were the most common visitors. Interestingly, the giant resin bee, M. sculpturalis, is considered to be an invasive species but in this case may be pollinating a native and Federally threatened plant.Conclusion – Although A. priceana flowers are visited by numerous insects, Bombus spp. and, surprisingly, an invasive species ( Megachile sculpturalis ) are probably the most important pollinators of this plant.