Entomophilous Plants Research Articles

Pollen atlas from bat guano deposits in southeastern Amazonia

The botanical literature lacks pollen resources such as atlases and identification keys for bat guano deposits. To address this gap, our dataset describes modern pollen and spore assemblages from five caves in the Carajás region, southeastern Amazonia. A comprehensive atlas featuring illustrations and detailed descriptions of pollen and spores was created using both original and published data. It aims to simplify the identification of different pollen and spores taxa within bat guano deposits, featuring light micrographs and descriptions of 105 pollen taxa, including 81 arboreal and shrub taxa, 11 lianas taxa, 7 herbaceous taxa, 3 palm taxa, and 3 ferns. Among the total pollen assemblage, entomophilous plant taxa represented 42.8%, followed by wind-pollinated taxa at 9.5% and bat-pollinated taxa at 7.6%. Our data indicate that bat guano can provide valuable information on plant taxa that are underrepresented in more traditional pollen sampling sites such as peat bogs and lake sediments.

Особенности развития генеративных структур некоторых цветковых растений

The paper presents the results of a comparative study of the reproductive biology of a number of Crimean flora species and valuable plants introduced to the south of Russia belonging to various families (Magnoliaceae, Annonaceae, Ericaceae, Campanulaceae, Anacardiaceae, Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Davidiaceae, Nyssaceae, Onagraceae, Papaveraceae), which made it possible to establish some features and regularities in the formation of the generative structures of the reproductive system, consisting in the conjugation of the development of male and female elements, the maturation of sexual gametes and the process of pollination in entomophilous plants. A conclusion was drawn concerning the high reproductive potential of the studied species, which is expressed in the formation of a sufficient number of full-fledged seeds to reproduce. The possibilities of using the knowledge of the reproductive processes of flowering plants in solving certain issues of taxonomy, determining the strategy of reproduction and conservation of phytodiversity, and showing the importance of antecological aspects in plant reproduction, breeding and nature protection were demonstrated. The material is of scientific interest to botanists, ecologists, breeders and other specialists.

Thermal biology diversity of bee pollinators: Taxonomic, phylogenetic, and plant community‐level correlates

AbstractCommunity‐wide assembly of plant–pollinator systems depends on an intricate combination of biotic and abiotic factors, including heterogeneity among pollinators in thermal biology and responses to abiotic factors. Studies on the thermal biology of pollinators have mostly considered only one or a few species of plants or pollinators at a time, and the possible driving role of the diversity in thermal biology of pollinator asemblages at the plant community level remains largely unexplored. More specifically, it is unknown whether diversity in the thermal biology of bees, a major pollinator group worldwide, contributes to the assembly and maintenance of diverse bee communities; broadens the spectrum of possibilities available to bee‐pollinated plants; facilitates interspecific partitioning of ecological gradients across habitats, seasons, and time of day; and/or enhance plant pollination success through complementarity effects. The objectives of this study were to assess the diversity in thermal biology of the bee assemblage that pollinates plants in a Mediterranean montane area, evaluate its taxonomic and phylogenetic underpinnings, and elucidate whether there existed seasonal, daily, between‐habitat, or floral visitation correlates of bee thermal biology which could contribute to partition ecological gradients among plant and bee species. Thermal biology parameters were obtained in the laboratory (K, intrinsic warming constant) and the field (thoracic and ambient temperature at foraging site, Tth and Tair) on individual bees of a diverse sample (N = 204 bee species) comprising most bee pollinators of the regional plant community. Species‐specific thermal biology parameters were combined with quantitative field data on bee pollinators and flower visitation for the regional community of entomophilous plants (N = 292 plant species). Results revealed that the regional bee assemblage harbored considerable diversity in thermal biology features; that such diversity was mostly taxonomically, phylogenetically, and body‐size structured; and that the broad interspecific heterogeneity in thermal biology represented in the bee community as a whole eventually translated into daily, seasonal, among‐habitat, and flower visitation patterns at the plant community level. This lends support to the hypothesis that broad diversity in thermal biology of bees can enhance opportunities for bee coexistence, spatiotemporal partitioning of floral resources, and plant pollination success.

The contribution of the Middle Triassic fossil assemblage of Monte San Giorgio to insect evolution

The Triassic represents a critical period for understanding the turnover of insect fauna from the Paleozoic to the Mesozoic following the end-Permian mass extinctions (EPME); however, fossil deposits from the Early-Middle Triassic are scarce. The exceptionally preserved 239 million-year-old fossil insect fauna recorded at Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland), including 248 fossils representing 15 major insect clades is presented here. Besides the exceptional features, including their small size and excellent preservation, the fossils have importance in the evolutionary history of the group. The taxonomic and ecological diversity recovered, including both freshwater (dragonflies and caddisflies) and terrestrial taxa (true bugs and wasps), demonstrates that complex environments sustained a paleocommunity dominated by monurans (thought not to have survived the EPME), midges, and beetles. Interestingly, a blattodean-like fossil bearing an external ootheca was also found, important for understanding Paleozoic roachoids to extant cockroaches’ transition and the evolution of maternal brood care. Moreover, the youngest and first complete specimen of †Permithonidae and the oldest sawfly fossils were discovered. Finally, round-shaped bodies, compatible with seminal capsules or lycophyte spores, were found on the abdomens of several midge-like individuals. If these are spores, non-seed-bearing plants could have been the first entomophilous plants rather than gymnosperms, as recently supposed. Altogether, these fossils contribute substantially to understanding insect evolution and Paleozoic-Mesozoic faunal turnover.

Cross-taxon analysis in the highly threatened Mediterranean dunes reveals consistent diversity patterns in butterfly and plant communities

AbstractButterflies and plant species are widely used as model systems in biodiversity and conservation research. However, little is known about spatial patterns of butterfly diversity linked to plant communities across coastal dune ecotones. We explored the relation between butterfly and vegetation diversity in a Mediterranean protected dune system in Central Italy. We sampled butterfly and plant communities on shifting and fixed dunes and investigated their distribution patterns by diversity indexes and Species Abundance Diversity models (SADs). We also computed species beta-diversity and analyzed the relation between butterfly communities and vegetation by correlation analyses. Cross-taxon congruence in species richness, composition and abundance was assessed using Mantel correlation tests. Both butterfly and plant diversity were higher on the fixed dunes than on the shifting dunes. In both communities, SADs were adequately described by the geometric series model, which is typical of harsh environments with simple communities dominated by few species. Among both butterflies and plants, we identified species found only on either the shifting or the fixed dunes. Correlation between plant and butterfly diversity was higher for entomophilous plant species than for the more abundant anemophilous ones. Our results indicate that both plant and butterfly communities respond to the sea-inland environmental gradient, forming distinct communities with specialized taxa. Our findings also provide evidence of the importance of butterfly-plant relations for preserving biological diversity and ecosystem functioning in Mediterranean coastal areas.

Negative and sex-specific effects of drought on flower production, resources and pollinator visitation, but not on floral scent in monoecious Cucurbita pepo.

The globally changing climatic condition is increasing the incidences of drought in several parts of the world. This is predicted and already shown to not only impact plant growth and flower development, but also plant-pollinator interactions and the pollination success of entomophilous plants. However, there is a large gap in our understanding of how drought affects the different flowers and pollen transfer among flowers in sexually polymorphic species. Here, we evaluated in monoecious Styrian oil pumpkin, and separately for female and male flowers, the responses of drought stress on flower production, petal size, nectar, floral scent and visitation by bumblebee pollinators. Drought stress adversely affected all floral traits studied, except floral scent. Although both flower sexes were adversely affected by drought stress, the effects were more severe on female flowers, with most of the female flowers even aborted before opening. The drought had negative effects on floral visitation by the pollinators, which generally preferred female flowers. Overall, our study highlights that the two flower sexes of a monoecious plant species are differently affected by drought stress and calls for further investigations to better understand the cues used by the pollinators to discriminate against male flowers and against flowers of drought-stressed plants.

Technological methods of limiting the reproductive activity of queen bees in conditions of honey collection

The study of the biological characteristics of the development of bee colonies, the ethology of bees, the influence of the various factors on their life activities contributes to the development and implementation of new highly efective technologies of keeping and reproduction. Of particular interest is the study of the stimulating efect of diferent numbers of brood of diferent ages in the nest of a bee colony on the trophic connections of honey bees with the biological diversity of entomophilous plants, the change in physiological characteristics of diferent generations of bees in modern changing natural and climatic conditions of unstable ecotypes. This paper presents the data of experimental studies on the influence on the biological potential of bee colonies of various technological methods of regulating the reproductive activity of queen bees. The work aims to study the technological methods of regulating the reproductive activity of queen bees. The following research methods were used: zootechnical (selection of groups of analogues, signs of bee purebredness, brood accounting), analytical (analysis of literature data and research results) and statistical. Biometric data processing was carried out on a PC using MS Excel software with built-in statistical functions. Results. As a result of the study, it was found that bee families, where the reproductive activity of queen bees was limited by the use of an isolation cage, had the highest productivity indicators. It has been proved that prolonged (15 days or more) restriction of the reproductive activity of queen bees negatively afects the strength of bee colonies and their preparation for a prolonged state of hypobiosis. Conclusions. It was found that there is a complex relationship between brood rearing by bee colonies and their productivity. The absence of brood has led to an increase in the supply of nectar only for 12-15 days. Currently, due to the lack of replenishment with young bees, bee colonies have lost their strength and weakened. It has been proven that the most efective technological method of regulating the reproductive activity of queen bees in hull hives is the use of dividing grids and the mandatory presence of brood of diferent ages. For the efective use of honey collection, it is important not only to increase the maximum number of bees before the start of the main honey collection, but also to limit the feeding of a large number of larvae in time when they are no longer needed. During a short-term honey collection, it is necessary to limit the reproductive activity of the queen bee, and during the long one, it should be limited only in the second half of honey collection. Key words: bee colony, Ukrainian steppe breed, isolation, brood, reproductive activity, honey collection, honey productivity.

Searching to improve connectivity in fragmented landscapes: Road verges as complementary habitats

AbstractAimsFunctional connectivity is crucial for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services in fragmented landscapes. Linear landscape elements play an important role in providing refuge for plants and pollinators, as well as serving as biological corridors. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of road verges in maintaining the ecological connectivity of plant species assemblages in the Tandilia mountain system.LocationSouth America, Southern Pampa region of Argentina, Tandilia mountain system.MethodsUsing graph theory, landscape connectivity was quantified both at landscape scale and at the patch scale using the probability connectivity index (PCnum), taking into account the dispersal ability of observed species. The contribution of each landscape element to habitat availability and connectivity was evaluated using different fractions of the PCnum metric. Likewise, the influence of connectivity variables in explaining species assemblages grouped by functional categories was investigated using canonical ordination techniques.ResultsThe inclusion of road verges led to an 81% increase in overall connectivity at a threshold distance of 500 m. Connectivity significantly explained the assemblages of entomophilous plant species for all dispersal distances. Annual species assemblage variation was associated with intra‐patch connectivity. Variation in perennial and shrub species assemblages was explained by intra‐patch and inter‐patch connectivity.ConclusionsPreservation and restoration of these linear landscape elements play a pivotal role in transitioning toward more sustainable agroecosystems. This ecological and practical information may help prioritize plant species and the sites used to restore an essential but neglected ecosystem.

Urban environment decreases pollinator availability, fertility, and prolongs anthesis in the field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis Linnaeus, 1753)

ABSTRACT Urbanization alters the natural environment, with broad negative impacts on living organisms. Urbanization can also disrupt plant-pollinator networks by reducing the abundance and diversity of invertebrates. Firstly, I investigated whether the field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is an obligatory entomophilous plant because previous reports were ambiguous. Secondly, I investigated how the obligatory entomophilous plant, field bindweed, responds to urbanization by comparing the flowering duration (anthesis) and the reproductive success of field bindweeds in urban and rural populations. Unlike cross-pollinated flowers and controls, flowers experimentally prevented from pollination and self-pollinated flowers did not produce seeds, suggesting that the field bindweed is self-incompatible and obligatory entomophilous. The abundance of urban pollinators was 5–6 times lower than the abundance of rural pollinators, and flies (Diptera), beetles (Coleoptera) and moths (Lepidoptera) were significantly more negatively influenced by the urban environment than hymenopterans (Hymenoptera). Urban plants showed significantly longer anthesis duration and lower reproductive success than rural plants. Illuminance and low pollinator abundance were negatively associated with the duration of the anthesis, but relative humidity did not affect the anthesis. Prolonged duration of the anthesis may be an adaptation to pollinator scarcity because more prolonged flowering increases the likelihood of pollination. Future research should unravel whether the longer anthesis of urban flowers is determined by behavioral plasticity or by the evolutionary selection of plants with a genetically determined longer anthesis.

The Economic Importance of Bees

Being pollinators of entomophilous plants, bees are part of natural complexes of agrolandscapes due to their species composition. Pollination of flowers by bees on the territory of Nakhchivan mainly occurs within 700-1300hours in the morning. The maximum value of the number of bees in crops was recorded at 1100-1300 hours. The main pollinators of alfalfa and other fodder plants are representatives of Andrena, Melitturga, Halictus, Nomia, Rophitoides, Melitta, Anthidium, Osmia, Eucera, Megachile, Lithurgus, Anthophoraand Bombus genera. Our monitoring of bee populations in natural conditions and the application of a system for predicting expected changes serve their effective utilization, protection, and creation of favorable conditions for their aggregation in agro- and various coenosis.

Air pollution: a threat to insect pollination

Entomophilous plants rely on insects for pollination and consequently for reproduction. However, insect pollinators are facing multiple human‐driven pressures, from climate change to habitat loss to increased pesticide application. Anthropogenic activities have also led to critical increases in air pollution. A recent body of research focusing on the effects of air pollution on plant–pollinator interactions shows that air pollution might join the list of factors threatening insect pollination. Here, we examine the ways in which air pollution is thought to influence insect pollination, from potential mismatches between flowering and pollinator activity, to changes in pollinator attraction to flowers, to extensions in foraging periods. We consider the implications of these changes for plant reproduction and pollinator fitness and discuss how air pollutants are imperiling plant and pollinator communities. Finally, we define the questions that need to be addressed to better understand the impact of air pollution as a major driver of global change.

THE LEVEL OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN APIS MELLIFERA L. DURING THEIR SHORT-TERM MAINTENANCE ON DIFFERENT CARBOHYDRATE DIETS

The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), the main pollinator of entomophilous plants, is one of the most important insects of natural ecosystems and a producer of such important products as honey, perga, royal jelly, wax, propolis etc. The efficiency of beekeeping is limited by many factors, the main of which is the survival of colonies in critical periods of development, especially in the conditions of widespread use of artificial feed. Diets that do not meet the vital needs of honey bees in full nutrition negatively affect their health. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), as a marker of the development of stress, in foraging bees Apis mellifera carnica, which consumed different carbohydrate diets in laboratory conditions for 14 hours. Bees were selected from the outermost combs in July, 40-50 individuals into feeder boxes, transported to the laboratory and kept for 14 hours at 25°С in a thermostat on the following diets: Group I – 30% sucrose solution; II – 30% sugar solution; III – 60% sucrose solution; IV – 60% sugar solution; V – 30% glucose solution; VI – 30% fructose solution; VII – 30% glucose solution + 30% fructose solution (1:1); VIII – 15% glucose solution + 15% fructose solution (1:1); IX – 32% honey solution. The insects of the control group were frozen with liquid nitrogen, in the apiary, the insects of the experimental groups - after the end of the experiment; stored at minus 70 °C until biochemical studies. The level of LPO was determined in separate tags (head, thorax, abdomen) according to Placer's method with modifications. It was found that the transfer into feeder boxes, transportation and keeping for 14 hours of a small cluster of forager bees is a significant stress factor for them, as evidenced by the increase in the level of LPO in the tissues of the insects' heads. The lowest level of LPO was observed in the tissues of the head and abdomen in bees that were kept in feeder boxes for fourteen hours on a 30% glucose diet compared to bees that consumed fructose (30%), sucrose (30 % and 60%) diets, a mixture of monosugars (15% + 15% and 30% + 30%) and honey. Keywords Apis mellifera, carbohydrate diet, lipid peroxidation, 14 hour stress, foraging bees

Validating a multi-locus metabarcoding approach for characterizing mixed-pollen samples

BackgroundThe mutualistic interaction between entomophilous plants and pollinators is fundamental to the structure of most terrestrial ecosystems. The sensitive nature of this relationship has been disrupted by anthropogenic modifications to natural landscapes, warranting development of new methods for exploring this trophic interaction. Characterizing the composition of pollen collected by pollinators, e.g. Apis mellifera, is a common means of exploring this relationship, but traditional methods of microscopic pollen assessment are laborious and limited in their scope. The development of pollen metabarcoding as a method of rapidly characterizing the abundance and diversity of pollen within mixed samples presents a new frontier for this type of work, but metabarcoding may have limitations, and validation is warranted before any suite of primers can be confidently used in a research program. We set out to evaluate the utility of an integrative approach, using a set of established primers (ITS2 and rbcL) versus melissopalynological analysis for characterizing 27 mixed-pollen samples from agricultural sites across Canada.ResultsBoth individual markers performed well relative to melissopalynology at the family level with decreases in the strength of correlation and linear model fits at the genus level. Integrating data from both markers together via a multi-locus approach provided the best rank-based correlation between metagenetic and melissopalynological data at both the genus (ρ = 0.659; p < 0.001) and family level (ρ = 0.830; p < 0.001). Species accumulation curves indicated that, after controlling for sampling effort, melissopalynological characterization provides similar or higher species richness estimates than either marker. The higher number of plant species discovered via the metabarcoding approach simply reflects the vastly greater sampling effort in comparison to melissopalynology.ConclusionsPollen metabarcoding performed well at characterizing the composition of mixed pollen samples relative to a traditional melissopalynological approach. Limitations to the quantitative application of this method can be addressed by adopting a multi-locus approach that integrates information from multiple markers.

Differential ecomorphic analysis of urban park vegetation

The ecomorphic approach was developed to analyze the structure of natural plant communities. This method was applied to analyze the ecological structure of an artificial park plantation in an urban environment. Urban parks perform important and diverse functions in the urban environment. As anthropogenic objects, urban parks should be subject to adequate and effective management that can increase the functional value of forest plantations in the city and ensure their sustainability. In this regard, the choice of the quantitative parameters of the park plantation to be managed is crucial. We hypothesize that ecomorphic analysis can be the basis for selecting optimal quantitative criteria for parkland management. Therefore, the goal of our study was to assess the informational value of ecomorphic analysis for characterizing park plantation in urban environments. In the park, 166 species of vascular plants were found, which are represented by phanerophytes (19.9%), nannophanerophytes (8.4%), hemicryptophytes (40.4%), geophytes (11.4%), theorophytes (18.7%) and geolophytes (1.2%). Sylvants (35.5%) predominate among the coenomorphs, with slightly less pratants (22.3%), ruderants (18.7%) and stepants (14.5%). Cultivants (3.0%), psammophytes (3.0%) and paludants (3.0%) were occasionally found. The proportion of xeromesophytes and mesophytes was the highest (32.5 and 31.3% respectively). The proportion of mesoxerophytes was also relatively high (28.3%). The proportion of other hygromorphs was relatively low. The trophomorphs were represented mainly by mesotrophs (71.1%) and a slightly smaller proportion of megatrophs (22.3%). The oligotrophs were found occasionally (6.6%). Sciogeophytes (57.2%) and heliophytes (30.1%) prevailed among heliomorphs. The proportion of sciophytes and heliosciophytes was much lower (3.6 and 9.0 %, respectively). Entomophilous plant species were the most common among the vegetation cover of the park (71.7%). Anemophilous plants were significantly inferior to them (26.5%). Autogamous and hydrophilous plants were found occasionally (1.2 and 0.6% respectively). Ballistic diasporeochores prevailed among diasporeochores (39.8%). The proportion of anemochores and endozoochores was somewhat lower (27.7 and 12.0% respectively). The results obtained allow to discover the essential ecological features of the park plantation. The park plantation has many features that bring it closer to natural forests. The similarity consists in a significant proportion of silvants, shade-loving species, and mesotrophs. A significant level of anthropogenic impact can be diagnosed on the basis of information about the increased proportion of ruderants in the plant community. The differential analysis of the ecomorphic structure in the section by climorphs is of considerable value. This approach allowed to detect an increased role of the zoogenic factor in the distribution of diaspores of phanerophytes and nannophanerophytes and an increased role of wind in the dispersal of geophytes and therophytes. The role of wind is reduced in the dispersion of hemicryptophytes in the urban environment.

Variations in pollinator-mediated selection of floral traits across flowering times

Abstract Spatiotemporal variations in plant–pollinator interactions drive floral evolution and shape the diversity of flowers in angiosperms. However, the potential role of plant–pollinator interactions in driving floral differentiation across flowering times within a population has not been documented. In this study, we aimed to quantify the variations in pollinator-mediated selection of floral traits across different flowering times of Primula sikkimensis (an entomophilous plant) in two natural populations. The results demonstrated that plants were shorter and produced fewer flowers with larger sizes in the early flowering time than in the late flowering time. In early flowering time, pollinator types were fewer and visitation frequency was lower than in late flowering time, resulting in lower female fitness. Pollinator-mediated selection of floral traits varied with flowering time, and more floral traits received pollinator-mediated selection during early flowering time. These results highlight that temporal variation in plant–pollinator interactions may have a potential role in driving floral diversification within the population.

Unique Morphology of Sarcobatus baileyi Male Inflorescence and Its Botanical Implications.

A typical angiosperm flower is usually bisexual, with entomophilous plants having four whorls of organs: the calyx, corolla, stamens, and gynoecium. The flower is usually colorful, and thus, distinct from the dull-colored reproductive organs of gymnosperms; however, this formula is not applicable to all flowers. For example, the male flower of Sarcobatus baileyi is reduced into only a single stamen. Such unusual flowers are largely poorly documented and underappreciated. To fill such a lacuna in our knowledge of the male reproductive organ of S. baileyi, we collected and studied materials of the male inflorescence of S. baileyi (Sarcobataceae). The outcomes of our Micro-CT (micro computed tomography), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), and paraffin sectioning indicate that a male inflorescence of S. baileyi is more comparable with the cone of conifers; its male flowers lack the perianth, are directly attached to a central axis and sheltered by peltate indusium-like shields. To understand the evolutionary logic underlying such a rarely seen male inflorescence, we also studied and compared it with a female cone of Cupressus sempervirens. Although the genera Sarcobatus and Cupressus belong to two distinct major plant groups (angiosperms and gymnosperms), they apply the same propagule-protecting strategy.

Ресурсный потенциал медоносных растений степного Придонья

Melliferous lands comprise the categories of forest fund lands, where melliferous plants and plants that provide high pollen yield grow. Bees pollinating entomophilous plants are 6–10 times more beneficial to forest lands compared to the favours from productive honey flows. The research objectives included identifying the features of the ecological and biological characteristics of melliferous plants of the Fabacea family, specifying the onset, duration and intensity of flowering, determining the sugar content in the nectar of one flower and honey productivity in the steppe Don region. Registration plots were laid out by the route method for the assessment of melliferous resources and determination of the resource potential of forest lands. Necessary observations, registration work, mathematical and statistical data processing were carried out according to the generally accepted methods. The territory of the steppe Don region, where the forest fund lands of the Rostov region are located, has favorable weather conditions and a rich forage base for bees. Тhe honey potential of the studied resources is a dynamic indicator and is of interest both for forest beekeeping and for scientific research. We used the sums of effective temperatures to determine the flowering sequence and characteristics of melliferous plants. The dwarf Russian almond blossoms first among arboreal melliferous plants of the legume family, while the Japanese pagoda tree blossoms last in the middle of the summer honey flow period. Black locust forest stands (497 kg/ha), lands dominated by Japanese pagoda tree (484 kg/ha) and honey locust (245 kg/ha) have the highest honey productivity. The research results showed that the black locust plantations with a bioresource potential of 7111.29 ton in the eastern and central areas of the region are significant for honey flow on the forest fund lands. Forest lands with predominance of spring melliferous plants of boxthorn and dwarf Russian almond on non-forest lands of the forest fund provide a supporting honey flow with a bioresource potential of 2749.168 ton. The studies that were carried out are of practical importance and will allow determining the resource potential of forest lands for honey flow more accurately in the future. In case of a high level of forestry and beekeeping practices, even under adverse weather conditions during nectar harvesting, it will be possible to obtain a productive honey flow, while ensuring timely and effective pollination of forest plants.

Honey productivity of plant formations in the Toratau Geopark of the Republic of Bashkortostan

The Republic of Bashkortostan is one of the regions of Russia where historically, there are favorable landscape and climatic conditions for developing the beekeeping industry. The territory of the Toratau Geopark has incredible biodiversity. Bees are pollinators of entomophilous plants, which, in turn, affects the productivity of berry and fruit plants and contributes to the revival of the natural flora of forest resources. However, only 360 thousand hectares of nectar-producing linden are growing in the three-kilometer zone of apiaries, and the rest are located in inaccessible areas of the republic.Unfavorable weather conditions do not allow for productive honey harvesting during the linden blossom period. Hence, the research aimed to determine the honey productivity of plant formations in the territory of the Toratau Geopark. The results of the studies showed that high honey productivity is characterized by gnat’s linden (574.4 kg/ha) and nettle twigs (458.1 kg/ha). Maplewood formation is a source of abundant honey harvesting in the spring period, with honey productivity of the forest type of the gnarly forest - 350.4 kg/ha, prickly-bristled barry forest - 332.3 kg/ha. In early spring, floodplain elm with significant honey productivity (254.3 kg/ha) and bramble elm (252.3 kg/ha) provide supportive honey collection and build-up of bee family strength. The knowledge gained about the honey productivity of plant formations in the study area is a scientific contribution to the rational use of honey resources in the territory of Bashkortostan. Also, these studies help preserve the natural flora of forest resources, optimize the population, expand the range, and maintain the genetic purity of the people of the native Burzyan wild bee (Apis mellifera L.), as well as for obtaining productive honey collections.

The main directions of development of cooperative and integration relations in the beekeeping industry of the Republic of Belarus

Outlines the priority areas for the development of cooperative and integration ties in the beekeeping industry. The economic, ecological and social significance of creating cooperative formations in beekeeping at the following levels is substantiated: personal subsidiary plots of citizens; peasant (farm) farms; agricultural organizations (specialized enterprises) engaged in large-scale production of bee products and the provision of services for the pollination of entomophilous plants; administrative districts and regions (oblasts), republic. Concrete proposals are presented for the creation of a research and production cluster for beekeeping on the basis of organizations of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Structure of the Complex of Veronica spicata L. Pollinators on the Northern Distribution Border

The low number of pollinating insects is the limiting factor for entomophilous plants in the north, and the situation is exacerbated by a short growing season and often unfavorable weather conditions for their life. The paper presents the results of studying the complex of pollinators of the specialized melittophilic species Veronica spicata at the northern limit of its distribution. It is shown that the structure of this complex is determined by the structural features of V. spicata flowers, the latitudinal position, and the fferentiation of ecological niches of the species in the north. Unlike other parts of the range, where solitary bees play an important role in the pollination of V. spicata, this function in the north is performed by representatives of the genus Bombus Latr. (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Considering the level of species diversity and population structure, the pollinator complex of V. spicata is based on short proboscis species of umblebees: Bombus lucorum s.l., B. jonellus, B. pratorum, B. sporadicus, and medium proboscis B. pascuorum. In accordance with the differentiation of ecological niches of V. spicata in the north, differences in the structure of the pollinator complex and foraging strategies of bumblebees were revealed.