Butterflies provide pollination services to macadamia in northeastern Brazil

Santos, R. da S.; Milfont, Marcelo de Oliveira; Silva, Mairon Moura; Carneiro, Liedson Tavares; Castro, Cibele Cardoso

doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108818

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Even hawkmoths, considered as efficient pollinators strongly affecting floral evolution since Darwin 10 , were recently revealed as opportunistic nectar thieves of many flowers 11 , 12 . However, some butterflies 5 , 13 , 14 and moths 7 , 9 , 15 , 16 are key pollinators of specialised plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevational and seasonal patterns of butterflies and hawkmoths in plant-pollinator networks in tropical rainforests of Mount Cameroon

Mertens

Brisson

Janeček

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Butterflies and moths are conspicuous flower visitors but their role in plant-pollinator interactions has rarely been quantified, especially in tropical rainforests. Moreover, we have virtually no knowledge of environmental factors affecting the role of lepidopterans in pollination networks. We videorecorded flower-visiting butterflies and hawkmoths on 212 plant species (> 26,000 recorded hrs) along the complete elevational gradient of rainforests on Mount Cameroon in dry and wet seasons. Altogether, we recorded 734 flower visits by 80 butterfly and 27 hawkmoth species, representing only ~ 4% of all flower visits. Although lepidopterans visited flowers of only a third of the plant species, they appeared to be key visitors for several plants. Lepidopterans visited flowers most frequently at mid-elevations and dry season, mirroring their local elevational patterns of diversity. Characteristics of interaction networks showed no apparent elevational or seasonal patterns, probably because of the high specialisation of all networks. Significant non-linear changes of proboscis and forewing lengths were found along elevation. A positive relationship between the lengths of proboscis of hesperiid butterflies and tube of visited flowers was detected. Differences in floral preferences were found between sphingids and butterflies, revealing the importance of nectar production, floral size and shape for sphingids, and floral colour for butterflies. The revealed trait-matching and floral preferences confirmed their potential to drive floral evolution in tropical ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevational and seasonal patterns of butterflies and hawkmoths in plant-pollinator networks in tropical rainforests of Mount Cameroon

Mertens

Brisson

Janeček

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These flowers are characterized by brightly colored petals with a mild and pleasant aroma and a flat platform that enables the butterflies to land in the inflorescence. Large-to medium-sized butterflies act as pollinators via their wings [194]. Gloriosa minor Rendle (Colchicaceae) is a dry land floral plant in Kenya that depends on butterflies for pollination, and consequently the production of seeds, which are a source of colchicine [195].…”

Section: Butterflies Vs Beesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Bee Pollination and Its Economic Value for Crop Production

Khalifa

Elshafiey

Shetaia

et al. 2021

Insects

145

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pollination plays a significant role in the agriculture sector and serves as a basic pillar for crop production. Plants depend on vectors to move pollen, which can include water, wind, and animal pollinators like bats, moths, hoverflies, birds, bees, butterflies, wasps, thrips, and beetles. Cultivated plants are typically pollinated by animals. Animal-based pollination contributes to 30% of global food production, and bee-pollinated crops contribute to approximately one-third of the total human dietary supply. Bees are considered significant pollinators due to their effectiveness and wide availability. Bee pollination provides excellent value to crop quality and quantity, improving global economic and dietary outcomes. This review highlights the role played by bee pollination, which influences the economy, and enlists the different types of bees and other insects associated with pollination.

show abstract

“…Pollination by lepidopteran species is essential for some crops, as well as also for wildflower species. A case study demonstrating of the value of lepidopterans as agricultural pollinators showed that butterflies or moths are responsible for approximately half of all floral visits of Macadamia plants cultivated in Brazil (Santos et al, 2020). Therefore, understanding the effect of chemicals on lepidopterans is critical from the perspective of conserving this widely admired and important group of insects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%