The impact of spatio-temporal changes in flora attributes and pollen availability on insect visitors in Lamiaceae species

Abstract

Abstract There is growing evidence that food, in particular pollen, limitation is the strongest factor in pollinator decline. We have considered the potential effects of diversity in plant-community attributes as well as variations in the pollen and energy amount on the abundance and frequency of insect visitors to the Lamiaceae species Salvia pratensis L., S. verticillata L., Thymus serpyllum L., Betonica officinalis L. syn. Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevis., and Origanum vulgare L. The species were grown in two different habitat types (dry grassland vs. railway embankment) in the Lublin Upland, Poland. We found significant inter-species, inter-habitat, and inter-year disparities in the pollen mass and total energy amount per unit area. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that the blossom cover, species richness, and diversity noted at the plant community level significantly influenced the distribution of insect visitors to Lamiaceae species. The pollen caloric value and pollen abundance (but not the protein content in the pollen) had a considerable impact on the abundance and frequency of honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees in Lamiaceae flowers. Butterflies, beetles and flies did not respond to these factors. The model including all variables explained 66.4% of the observed variance. The studied Lamiaceae species, due to abundant flowering and good pollen nutritional value should be considered in the protocols to improve food resources, especially for social bees; however, disparities in pollen quantity and energy amount should not be ignored.