scholarly journals Comparative floral biology of Rhynchospora ciliata (Vahl) Kukenth and R. pubera (Vahl) Boeckeler (Cyperaceae): the role of white involucral bracts in attracting pollinating insects

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C.G. Costa ◽  
William W. Thomas ◽  
Isabel C. Machado
Keyword(s):  
Floral Biology ◽  
Pollinating Insects

scholarly journals Insects in the City: Does Remnant Native Habitat Influence Insect Order Distributions?

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Mani Shrestha ◽  
Jair E. Garcia ◽  
Freya Thomas ◽  
Scarlett R. Howard ◽  
Justin H. J. Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Native Habitat ◽  
Insect Order ◽  
Insect Pollinator ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

There is increasing interest in developing urban design principles that incorporate good ecological management. Research on understanding the distribution and role of beneficial pollinating insects, in particular, is changing our view of the ecological value of cities. With the rapid expansion of the built environment comes a need to understand how insects may be affected in extensive urban areas. We therefore investigated insect pollinator capture rates in a rapidly growing and densely urbanized city (Melbourne, Australia). We identified a remnant native habitat contained within the expansive urban boundary, and established study sites at two nearby populated urban areas. We employed standard pan trap sampling techniques to passively sample insect orders in the different environments. Our results show that, even though the types of taxonomic groups of insects captured are comparable between locations, important pollinators like bees and hoverflies were more frequently captured in the remnant native habitat. By contrast, beetles (Coleoptera) and butterflies/moths (Lepidoptera) were more frequently observed in the urban residential regions. Our results suggest that the maintenance of native habitat zones within cities is likely to be valuable for the conservation of bees and the ecosystem services they provide.

THE ROLE OF POLLINATING INSECTS IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN POLAND

2017 ◽  
Vol XIX (3) ◽  
pp. 182-187
Author(s):  
Janusz Majewski
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Central Statistical ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Central Statistical Office ◽  
The Subject

The aim of the paper was to determinate the importance of pollinating insects for food security in Poland. To assess this, there was estimated crop production without pollinators. The information published by the Institute of Horticulture and the Central Statistical Office was used as well as the literature on the subject. The results of the study indicate that insect pollinators play a key role in fruit production, absence of pollinators may result in a crop yield reduction about 80%. In terms of physical availability of food, Polish food security will be preserved even in the absence of insect pollinators. However, at the level of economic availability, food security may not be preserved without such pollinators, in particular in terms of fruit and food security associated with the consumption of properly balanced rations.

Floral biology and late-acting self-incompatibility in Jacaranda racemosa (Bignoniaceae)

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson S. Bittencourt ◽  
João Semir
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Self Incompatibility ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Hand Pollination ◽  
Natural Pollination ◽  
Ovule Penetration ◽  
Incompatibility Barrier

Breeding-system studies have been conducted with 38 of the approximately800 species of Bignoniaceae, and self-incompatibility was found in 31 of these. In species for which the site of self-incompatibility barrier was studied, self-pollinated flowers consistently failed to develop into fruits, even though pollen tubes grew down to the ovary and penetrated most of the ovules. In this study, we have investigated the floral biology and the breeding system in Jacaranda racemosa Chamisso, with hand-pollination experiments and the histology of post-pollination events. Flower anthesis lasted 1–3 days, and although the frequency of flower visitation was extremely low, natural pollination seemed to be effected mainly by medium-sized bees. Because the conspicuous staminodium favours eventual pollination by small bees, a possible role of the staminodium in the increase of potential pollinators is suggested. Hand-pollinations indicated that J. racemosa is a self-sterile species. Histological analysis of post-pollination events indicated the occurrence of a kind of late-acting self-incompatibility in which the processes of ovule penetration, fertilisation and endosperm initiation were slower in selfed than in crossed pistils. Until the time of self-pollinated pistil abscission, no signs of endosperm malfunction or proembryo development were observed in selfed pistils. Therefore, inbreeding depression is an unlikely explanation for self-sterility in J. racemosa.

Visual and olfactory floral cues related to ambophilous pollination systems in Poaceae

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isadora Schulze-Albuquerque ◽  
Ana Carolina Galindo Da Costa ◽  
Paulo Milet-Pinheiro ◽  
Daniela Maria Do Amaral Ferraz Navarro ◽  
William Wayt Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grass Species ◽  
Wind Pollination ◽  
Pollen Vectors ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Floral Visitors ◽  
Pollen Vector ◽  
Pollination Systems ◽  
Chloris Barbata ◽  
Floral Cues

Abstract Usually considered anemophilous, grasses (Poaceae) have been the subject of few studies that recorded insects visiting their flowers. Such visitors, with wind, could act as pollen vectors in a possible ambophilous system. Since colour and scent are floral cues attracting pollinating insects, we aimed to provide the first insights into how these cues could be involved in the attraction of pollinators by grasses. Chloris barbata, Paspalum maritimum (with two morphotypes), P. millegrana and Urochloa plantaginea were studied. We determined the role of each pollen vector (wind and insect) and we registered the frequency of floral visitors. Also, we characterized the colour reflectance of glumes, anthers and stigmas and we determined the colour space in the bee colour hexagon and the chemical composition of floral scents. The floral structures of each species reflect colour differently and are perceived differently by pollinators. Furthermore, the volatile organic compounds detected are similar to those found in entomophilous species. In two of the grass species, we registered eight species of visitors, including bees, wasps and flies. Overall, wind was the most important vector for reproductive success. Insects, however, may induce wind pollination by creating pollen clouds when they visit inflorescences.

Floral biology of the Cunoniaceae in New Caledonia and the role of insects, birds and geckos as potential pollinators

Kew Bulletin ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. C. F. Hopkins ◽  
J. C. Bradford ◽  
B. Donovan ◽  
Y. Pillon ◽  
J. Munzinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Caledonia ◽  
Floral Biology

Flies and flowers: taxonomic diversity of anthophiles and pollinators

2001 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.M.H. Larson ◽  
P.G. Kevan ◽  
D.W. Inouye
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
The South ◽  
African Flora ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Flower Visiting

AbstractThe Diptera are the second most important order among flower-visiting (anthophilous) and flower-pollinating insects worldwide. Their taxonomic diversity ranges from Nematocera to Brachycera, including most families within the suborders. Especially important are Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, and Muscoidea. Other families, especially of small flies, are less appreciated and often overlooked for their associations with flowers. We have compiled records of their flower visitations to show that they may be more prevalent than usually thought. Our knowledge of anthophilous Diptera needs to be enhanced by future research concerning (i) the significance of nocturnal Nematocera and acalypterate muscoids as pollinators, (ii) the extent to which the relatively ineffective pollen-carrying ability of some taxa can be compensated by the abundance of individuals, and (iii) the role of Diptera as pollinators of the first flowering plants (Angiospermae) by using phylogenetic and palaeontological evidence. Specializations in floral relationships involve the morphology of Diptera, especially of their mouthparts, nutritional requirements, and behaviour, as well as concomitant floral attributes. The South African flora has the most highly specialized relations with dipterous pollinators, but in arctic and alpine generalist fly–flower relations are important in pollination and fly nutrition.

scholarly journals Study of the efficiency of creeping clover pollination (Trifolium repens L.) by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 282 ◽  
pp. 03024
Author(s):  
V.N. Zolotarev
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
The Family ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Allogamous Species ◽  
Bee Colonies

The creeping clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a natural allotetraploid allogamous species and is characterized by an entomophilic xenogamous pollination method. One of the reasons for the low yield of clover seeds is the insufficient provision of its flowering grass stands with pollinating insects. The main pollinators are representatives of the order of hymenoptera insects (Himenoptera) from the family of true bees (Apidae) – the honey bee Apis mellifera L. and various species of bumblebees (Bombus). Studies have shown that in the conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem region of Russia, the role of bumblebees in the pollination of creeping clover did not exceed 12-13%. In the presence of bumblebees in different growing seasons in the amount of 30-80 to 110-170 indivi-duals/ha during the mass flowering of creeping clover, they -ensured the formation of seed yields of no more than 90 kg/ha. It is established that honey bees perform up to 87-88% of clover pollination. The highest collections of creeping clover seeds are formed at the flight density of bees of 18-21 thousand individuals per hectare. This makes it possible to form a biological clover yield over 720 kg/ha. To ensure such a rich flight of bees, it is necessary to have at least 2-3 strong bee colonies on clover crops.

scholarly journals Wind drives temporal variation in pollinator visitation in a fragmented tropical forest

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Crall ◽  
Julia Brokaw ◽  
Susan F. Gagliardi ◽  
Chase D. Mendenhall ◽  
Naomi E. Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Neotropical Forests ◽  
Orchid Bees ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Floral Visitation ◽  
Tropical Forest Ecosystem

AbstractWind is a critical factor in the ecology of pollinating insects such as bees. However, the role of wind in determining patterns of bee abundance and floral visitation rates across space and time is not well understood. Orchid bees are an important and diverse group of neotropical pollinators that harvest pollen, nectar and resin from plants. In addition, male orchid bees collect volatile scents that they store in special chambers in their hind legs, and for which the wind-based dispersal of odors may play a particularly crucial role. Here we take advantage of this specialized scent foraging behavior to study the effects of wind on orchid bee visitation at scent sources in a fragmented tropical forest ecosystem. We find that temporal changes in wind speed and turbulence are correlated with visitation to scent stations within sites, while local landscape structure is a strong determinant of spatial variation in visitation across nearby sites. These results suggest that the increased dispersal of attractive scents provided by wind and turbulence outweighs any biomechanical or energetic costs that might deter bees from foraging in these conditions. Overall, our results highlight the significance of wind in the ecology of these important pollinators in neotropical forests.

scholarly journals Wind drives temporal variation in pollinator visitation in a fragmented tropical forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 20200103
Author(s):  
James D. Crall ◽  
Julia Brokaw ◽  
Susan F. Gagliardi ◽  
Chase D. Mendenhall ◽  
Naomi E. Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Neotropical Forests ◽  
Orchid Bees ◽  
Orchid Bee ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Tropical Forest Ecosystem

Wind is a critical factor in the ecology of pollinating insects such as bees. However, the role of wind in determining patterns of bee abundance and floral visitation rates across space and time is not well understood. Orchid bees are an important and diverse group of neotropical pollinators that harvest pollen, nectar and resin from plants. In addition, male orchid bees collect volatile scents that they store in special chambers in their hind legs, and for which the wind-based dispersal of odours may play a particularly crucial role. Here, we take advantage of this specialized scent foraging behaviour to study the effects of wind on orchid bee visitation at scent sources in a fragmented tropical forest ecosystem. Consistent with previous work, forest cover increased orchid bee visitation. In addition, we find that temporal changes in wind speed and turbulence increase visitation to scent stations within sites. These results suggest that the increased dispersal of attractive scents provided by wind and turbulence outweighs any biomechanical or energetic costs that might deter bees from foraging in these conditions. Overall, our results highlight the significance of wind in the ecology of these important pollinators in neotropical forests.

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