scholarly journals Native and invasive ants affect floral visits of pollinating honey bees in pumpkin flowers (Cucurbita maxima)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjana Pisharody Unni ◽  
Sajad Hussain Mir ◽  
T. P. Rajesh ◽  
U. Prashanth Ballullaya ◽  
Thomas Jose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Pollination Syndrome ◽  
Cucurbita Maxima ◽  
Invasive Ants ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Pollinator Decline ◽  
Visitation Rate ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Plant Pollinator

AbstractGlobal pollinator decline is a major concern. Several factors—climate change, land-use change, the reduction of flowers, pesticide use, and invasive species—have been suggested as the reasons. Despite being a potential reason, the effect of ants on flowers received less attention. The consequences of ants being attracted to nectar sources in plants vary depending upon factors like the nectar source's position, ants' identity, and other mutualists interacting with the plants. We studied the interaction between flower-visiting ants and pollinators in Cucurbita maxima and compared the competition exerted by native and invasive ants on its pollinators to examine the hypothesis that the invasive ants exacerbate more interference competition to pollinators than the native ants. We assessed the pollinator's choice, visitation rate, and time spent/visit on the flowers. Regardless of species and nativity, ants negatively influenced all the pollinator visitation traits, such as visitation rate and duration spent on flowers. The invasive ants exerted a higher interference competition on the pollinators than the native ants did. Despite performing pollination in flowers with generalist pollination syndrome, ants can threaten plant-pollinator mutualism in specialist plants like monoecious plants. A better understanding of factors influencing pollination will help in implementing better management practices.

scholarly journals Native and Invasive Ants Affect Floral Visits of Pollinating Honey Bees in Pumpkin Flowers (Cucurbita Maxima)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjana Unni ◽  
Sajad Mir ◽  
T P Rajesh ◽  
U Prashanth Ballullaya ◽  
Thomas Jose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Pollination Syndrome ◽  
Cucurbita Maxima ◽  
Invasive Ants ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Pollinator Decline ◽  
Visitation Rate ◽  
Nectar Source ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Abstract Global pollinator decline is a major concern. Several factors – climate change, land-use change, the decline of flowers, pesticide use, invasive species – have been suggested as the reasons. The effect of ants on flowers, despite being a potential reason, received less attention. The consequences of ants being attracted to nectar sources in plants vary depending upon factors like the position of the nectar source, the identity of ants, and other mutualists interacting with the plants. We studied the interaction between floral ants and pollinators in Cucurbita maxima and compared the competition exerted by native and invasive ants on the pollinator with the hypothesis that the invasive ants exacerbate more interference competition for pollinators than native ants. The pollinator’s choice, visitation rate and time spent/visit were assessed. Regardless of species and nativity ants negatively influenced all the pollinator visitation traits, such as visitation rate and duration spent on flowers. The invasive ants exerted a higher interference competition on the pollinators than native ants did. Ants despite performing pollination in flowers with generalist pollination syndrome, can be a threat for plant-pollinator mutualism in specialists like monoecious plants. A better understanding of factors influencing pollination will help in implementing better management practices.

Pollinator gardens more than triple in visitation rate and diversity of flower-visiting insects than other ornamental plantings in Kingston, Ontario

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marika Vogelzang
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
The Other ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Visitation Rate ◽  
Queen's University ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Pollinator Populations

In this study I determined the effectiveness of pollinator gardens by testing if visitation rate and diversity of flower-visiting insects is higher in pollinator gardens compared to other ornamental plantings. I observed pollinator visitation for individual plant taxa, per unit area, in three different pollinator gardens, eight ornamental gardens and eight ornamental planters on the Queen’s University campus in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Visitation was about 4- times higher in pollinator gardens compared to the other two ornamental garden types and visitor richness (the number of types of pollinators) in pollinator gardens was about 6- times higher compared to ornamental gardens, and about 3- times higher compared toornamental planters. The results of this study conclude that the planting of pollinator gardens is an effective way of supporting pollinator populations in urban areas.

A comparison of flower-visiting insects to rare Symphyotrichum sericeum and common Solidago nemoralis (Asteraceae)

Botany ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Bizecki Robson
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Visitation Rate ◽  
Hand Pollination ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
The Common ◽  
Insect Activity ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Common Plant ◽  
Insect Visitors ◽  
Over Time

Flower-visiting insect activity to the rare Symphyotrichum sericeum (Vent.) G.L. Nesom and the common Solidago nemoralis Ait. var. longipetiolata (Mack. & Bush) Pal. & Steyerm. was examined to detect compositional and temporal similarities. A hand pollination experiment was conducted to determine whether pollen was limiting seed set. Of the 31 insect taxa that visited these plants, Bombus bifarius Cresson was the most common visitor to both species. More insect visitors of the Halictidae and Bombyliidae were received by S. sericeum than S. nemoralis, which received more visitors of the Syrphidae and Tachinidae. The insect visitation rate was not significantly different between the two plant species. Solidago nemoralis was visited by fewer insect taxa per day than S. sericeum, but the constancy of its visitors was higher. The insect visitor composition changed over time, with B. bifarius ignoring S. sericeum plants initially, then visiting them more frequently as the number of receptive S. nemoralis capitula declined. Hand pollination increased seed set in the earliest flowering capitula of S. sericeum, but not for those flowering during the peak. This research shows that the quantity of insect visits to the rare plant is comparable with that of the common plant but that pollination quality may be lower, particularly for early blooming capitula.

scholarly journals Plant-pollinator interactions in Crambe abyssinicaHochst. (Brassicaceae) associated with environmental variables

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lívia C. Simioni ◽  
Rosilda M. Mussury ◽  
Munir Mauad ◽  
Daiane M. Dresh ◽  
Fabricio F. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Weekly Basis ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Crambe Abyssinica ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Despite the economic importance of Crambe abyssinica, the present study is the first report on bees that occur with this species, and could aid in developing alternative methods for controlling insect pests without seriously impacting pollinators. The present study examined the following questions: (1) Which species are potential pollinators of C. abyssinica? (2) How do environmental conditions influence pollinator visitation fluctuations? Insects were sampled on a weekly basis between 08:00 and 16:00 during five weeks of flowering. When the results of analyses of variance were significant, the data was adjusted using regression equations at a 5% level of probability; the environmental variables were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Apis mellifera, Geotrigona mombuca, Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) fulvofasciata, Plebeia sp. and Dialictus sp. were observed visiting C. abyssinica flowers. A. melliferaand G. mombucawere observed to be potential pollinators, with the former demonstrating visitation peaks during flowering weeks II and IV at 12:00 and 08:00, respectively and the latter visiting during weeks III and IV at 12:00 and 10:00, respectively. Environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed have different effect on the activity of bees.

The structure of the flower–insect visitor system in tall-grass prairie

Botany ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. 1266-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Bizecki Robson
Keyword(s):  
Larval Habitat ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Variation ◽  
Tall Grass ◽  
Visitation Rate ◽  
Tall Grass Prairie ◽  
The Core ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Insect Activity ◽  
Flower Visiting

Tall-grass prairie is endangered by habitat loss and fragmentation, and climate change. Flower-visiting-insect activity on two tall-grass prairie communities, one larger and more mesic than the other, was examined to determine network structure, and temporal and spatial variation. Flower-visiting insect richness and visitation rate were monitored for 2 years. Most insect-visitor taxa were Diptera, followed closely by Hymenoptera. Only 18% of insect taxa visited both communities in both years, but were responsible for 70% of all visits. The three most active insect species were Toxomerus marginatus Say, Bombus ternarius Say, and Odontomyia pubescens Day. The core plants, receiving over 67% of all visits, were Solidago canadensis L., Solidago rigida L., and Zizia aptera (Gray) Fern. Seasonal differences in insect visits were primarily due to temperature, as well as normal phenological patterns. Diptera was more abundant at one site, likely owing to differences in the quantity of nearby aquatic larval habitat. The mutualistic network of these two tall-grass prairies is significantly nested, which may make it more resilient to environmental perturbations than systems that are more compartmentalized.

scholarly journals High selfing capability and low pollinator visitation in the epiphyte Pitcairnia heterophylla (Bromeliaceae) at a Costa Rican cloud forest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis D. Ríos ◽  
Alfredo Cascante-Marín
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Visitation Rate ◽  
Pollinator Visitation Rate ◽  
Hand Pollination ◽  
Pollination Systems ◽  
Epiphytic Bromeliads

AbstractMost epiphytic bromeliads exhibit specialized pollination systems likely to promote out-crossing but, at the same time, possess floral traits that promote autonomous selfing. Adaptations that promote selfing in flowering plants with specialized pollination systems have been considered as a mechanism for reproductive assurance. In this paper, we analyzed the breeding system and pollinator visitation rate of the hummingbird-pollinated bromeliad Pitcairnia heterophylla in order to see if they fit such trend. We performed hand pollination experiments, video recording of floral visitors, and recorded floral traits in order to describe the reproductive and pollination system of the studied species in a cloud forest in Costa Rica. Results from the pollination treatments indicated that P. heterophylla is self-compatible (SCIf = 0.77), capable of autonomous pollination (AFIf = 0.78), and non-agamospermous (AGf = 0.01). Floral traits, such as scentless red flowers, with tubular corolla and nectar production, suggested ornithophily which was confirmed by the video recording of Lampornis calolaemus (Trochilidae) visiting flowers. However, the visitation rate was low (0.6 visits day-1 per plant) based on 918 hours of video recording using trail cameras. We suggest that the high selfing capability of the studied population of P. heterophylla might be related to the low pollinator visitation rate. If low pollinator visitation is common among hummingbird-pollinated and epiphytic bromeliads, then selfing could be a widespread mechanism to enhance their reproductive success.

scholarly journals Nocturnal pollinators strongly contribute to pollen transport of wild flowers in an agricultural landscape

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 20190877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Walton ◽  
Carl D. Sayer ◽  
Helen Bennion ◽  
Jan C. Axmacher
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Pollen Transport ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Nocturnal Pollinators ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Dramatic declines in diurnal pollinators have created great scientific interest in plant–pollinator relationships and associated pollination services. Existing literature, however, is generally focused on diurnal pollinating insect taxa, especially on Apidae (Hymenoptera) and Syrphidae (Diptera) pollinators, while nocturnal macro-moths that comprise extremely species-rich flower-visiting families have been largely neglected. Here, we report that in agricultural landscapes, macro-moths can provide unique, highly complex pollen transport links, making them vital components of overall wild plant–pollinator networks in agro-ecosystems. Pollen transport occurred more frequently on the moths' ventral thorax rather than on their mouthparts that have been traditionally targeted for pollen swabbing. Pollen transport loads suggest that nocturnal moths contribute key pollination services for several wild plant families in agricultural landscapes, in addition to providing functional resilience to diurnal networks. Severe declines in richness and abundance of settling moth populations highlight the urgent need to include them in future management and conservation strategies within agricultural landscapes.

The influence of floral traits on insect foraging behaviour on medicinal plants in an urban garden of eastern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-207
Author(s):  
Pushan Chakraborty ◽  
Poulami Adhikary Mukherjee ◽  
Supratim Laha ◽  
Salil Kumar Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Bipartite Network ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Pollinator Behaviour ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Urban Garden ◽  
Indian State ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Abstract Understanding the pollination biology of medicinal plants and their important insect pollinators is necessary for their conservation. The present study explored the complex interactions between pollinator visitation and effect of floral traits on pollinator behaviour on seven medicinal plant species grown in an urban garden in West Bengal, an eastern Indian state. The observations revealed 30 morphospecies of insect flower visitors (Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera) that touched floral reproductive parts on the selected plants during visitation. Additionally, it was observed that floral traits (e.g., corolla length and corolla opening diameter) were important predictors of the behaviour of insects when visiting the flowers. Plant–pollinator interactions were analysed using a bipartite network approach which explored the important links between insect and plants in the network revealing the key interactions, and species which are crucial to system maintenance. This piece of work contributes to our ability to understand and maintain a stable medicinal plant–pollinator network which will support efforts to conserve native flora and insects.

scholarly journals High species richness of native pollinators in Brazilian tomato crops

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Silva-Neto ◽  
L. L. Bergamini ◽  
M. A. S. Elias ◽  
G. L. Moreira ◽  
J. M. Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
Floral Visitors ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
Effective Pollinators

Abstract Pollinators provide an essential service to natural ecosystems and agriculture. In tomatoes flowers, anthers are poricidal, pollen may drop from their pore when flowers are shaken by the wind. However, bees that vibrate these anthers increase pollen load on the stigma and in fruit production. The present study aimed to identify the pollinator richness of tomato flowers and investigate their morphological and functional traits related to the plant-pollinator interaction in plantations of Central Brazil. The time of anthesis, flower duration, and the number and viability of pollen grains and ovules were recorded. Floral visitors were observed and collected. Flower buds opened around 6h30 and closed around 18h00. They reopened on the following day at the same time in the morning, lasting on average 48 hours. The highest pollen availability occurred during the first hours of anthesis. Afterwards, the number of pollen grains declined, especially between 10h00 to 12h00, which is consistent with the pollinator visitation pattern. Forty bee species were found in the tomato fields, 30 of which were considered pollinators. We found that during the flowering period, plants offered an enormous amount of pollen to their visitors. These may explain the high richness and amount of bees that visit the tomato flowers in the study areas. The period of pollen availability and depletion throughout the day overlapped with the bees foraging period, suggesting that bees are highly effective in removing pollen grains from anthers. Many of these grains probably land on the stigma of the same flower, leading to self-pollination and subsequent fruit development. Native bees (Exomalopsis spp.) are effective pollinators of tomato flowers and are likely to contribute to increasing crop productivity. On the other hand, here tomato flowers offer large amounts of pollen resource to a high richness and amount of bees, showing a strong plant-pollinator interaction in the study agroecosystem.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document