Behavior Of Insect Pollinators Research Articles

The behavior of insect pollinators in a teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) clonal seed orchard with weedy understory in East Java

Teak is an insect-pollinated species, and seed production depends on pollinators. The objectives of this study were to determine potential pollinators of teak and their foraging behavior in obtaining alternate food sources as the basis for management recommendations. Four traps, i.e. Moczarsky-Winkler selector traps, sticky traps, yellow-pan traps, and manual traps (insect net), were put up among blooming inflorescences during the flowering period of March to May. Insects were collected and counted weekly and identified. The presence and location of the pollen on their bodies were observed. The time and duration of foraging behavior, the duration of a single visit, the number of visits in an hour, and the landing position when approaching the teak flower as well as the understory were also observed. The result showed Ceratina sp., and Braunsapis sp. (Apidae), Nomia sp. (Halictidae) were potential teak pollinators in the CSO in East Java. The insect foraging behavior supports the ability to deposit pollen onto the stigma. The presence of Mimosa pudica in the understory plays as an alternate food source for pollinators. Intensive weeding and trimming of old or dead branches should be less practiced to enhance pollinators’ populations and nesting sites.

Sensory perception and behaviour of insect pollinators under climate change

Sensory perception and behaviour of insect pollinators under climate change

Diversity and foraging behaviour of insect pollinators in onion

Diversity and foraging behaviour of insect pollinators in onion

Flower-visiting insect pollinators of Brown Mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss and their foraging behaviour under caged and open pollination

Honey bees are the primary pollinators of mustard crop because it is highly attractive to bees and provides both nectar and pollen. To analyze the diversity and foraging behavior of insect pollinators under caged and open pollination, different varieties/ lines (Kranti, Varuna, Marigold, Vardan, Vaibhav, EC399299, EC399301, EC399312 and EC399313) of Brassica juncea were planted during Rabi season 2010-2011 at Apiary Garden, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. It was revealed that 30 species of insect pollinators belonging to ten families under four orders visited mustard flowers. In open pollination, Trigona laeviceps had maximum average abundance (4.51 bees/m2/2 min) and foraging speed (18.55s) in Vardan and EC399313, respectively whereas Apis mellifera showed highest foraging rate (10.68 flower/min.) in EC399313 as compared to other bees in different varieties. Under caged pollination, line EC399313 was most preferred by A. mellifera with maximum abundance (6.24 bees/m2/2 min), foraging speed (2.33 s) and foraging rate (7.69 flower/min). The results indicated that A. mellifera visited all nine varieties/lines in both open and caged plots. Overall average abundance (4.09 bees/1 m2/2 min) and foraging speed (1.97s) of A. mellifera was found maximum under caged pollination while highest foraging rate (8.52 flower/min) was recorded in open pollination per day. Key words: Brassica juncea, foraging behavior, Insect pollinators, caged pollination, open pollination.