Abstract
Abstract Epifagus virginiana (Beechdrop) is an annual flowering plant that parasitizes Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) roots. The pollination biology of the chasmogamous flowers of E. virginiana is unknown. In September 2011–2012, we observed insect visitors to E. virginiana flowers. Insect visitors included Bombus impatiens, Crematogaster spp., and Prenolepis imparis, but were dominated by P. imparis (over 96% of insect visits). In September 2012, we captured ants (Crematogaster and P. imparis) on E. virginiana flowers in three different areas found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces. With the use of 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), we tested E. virginiana pollen from flowers and ant integuments for viability. We observed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the viability of pollen taken directly from E. virginiana flowers and pollen removed from the ants. Our data suggests that ants can be playing an important role in the pollination of E. virginiana.
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