Studies on pollinator fauna and their relative abundance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Pollinators provide key services to both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Agricultural productivity depends, in part on pollinator populations from adjacent semi natural habitats.The diversity and abundance of different insect visitors on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were studied at Pantnagar. A total of 12 insect visitors belonging to order Hymenoptera (9), Diptera (1), Lepidoptera (1), and Coleoptera (1) were observed visiting the blossom of sunflower. The abundance (percentage of insect/m 2 /2min.) of Hymenopterans were maximum (86.09 %) followed by the Dipterans (22.80 %) and others (3.87%). In Hymenopterans, the honeybees (Apis bees) were observed maximum (65.22 %) followed by non Apis bees (20.39 %) and the scolid wasp (1.69 %).

Studies on flower visitors and their foraging activity on Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

“…The finding of the present study revealed that, twelve species of pollen and nectar feeders were visited on Sunflower during the flowering period of which nine species were recorded from Hymenoptera, one from Diptera and two from Lepidoptera (Table .1) Srikanth Nath and Viraktamath (2010) [8] , recorded a total of eight species of pollinators on Morden variety of sunflower, of these five species belonged to Hymenoptera and three species to Lepidoptera and Goswami et al (2013) [3] , observed total 12 insect visitors, of these nine represents order Hymenoptera, one species represents Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera each on the Sunflower.…”

“…The per cent composition of Apidae was 89.19% among total Hymenopteran (94.25%) pollinators. Similarly, Goswami et al (2013) [3] , recorded 86.09% were Hymenopteran of all insect visitors. Among Apidae, A. dorsata (38.09%) was more 2).…”

“…Sunflower is protandrous and self-incompatible in which male and female parts mature at different times, there appears to be a time lag of 18.24 hrs in the maturity of male and female parts in Sunflower (Singh et al, 2000) [7] . The cross pollination of these flowers are brought about by insects, as flowers produce abundant quantity of nectar and pollen which attract large number of honey bees for these resources, which favours pollination mechanism (Goswami et al, 2013) [3] . Honeybee pollination is therefore essential for production of sunflower hybrid seed.…”

Relative Abundance and Foraging Behaviour of Pollinator Fauna on Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) and its Influence on Yield

“…Niger is a completely cross pollinated crop with a selfincompatibility mechanism. Cross pollination of these flowers are brought about by insects, as flowers of Niger produce abundant quantity of nectar and pollen which attract large number of honey bees [2], which favours pollination [3]. Referring to the importance of pollination in Niger production, the study was conducted to know the role of pollinators on Niger ecosystem.…”