Study on the Diversity, Foraging Behaviour of the Insect Visitors of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and Their Role in Pollination in Tentulia Village in Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal

Abstract

The study on the diversity and foraging behavior of insect visitors of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and their role in pollination was evaluated during October 2022-February 2023 at Tentulia village in Swarupnagar Block, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. Data were collected at 2 day in a week for 3 months continuously in two shift in a day as morning shift (7:00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.) and afternoon shift (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) during the present study. 22 insect species belonging to 18 families of 8 orders were recorded from marigold flowers. Among the insect pollinators/visitors the most average abundance showed in order Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. The present study also observed that the highest average foraging speed is shown by Hymenoptera order followed by Lepidoptera and Diptera. It was also considered in this study that insects having different foraging behavior as in Hymeoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera and Diptera order the insects forage polen from the Top of flower to other flower into patches, and in Lepidoptera, Odonata, Coleoptera, Neuroptera order the insects forage from both top and side from one flower to another. The aim of the present study was to explore and document insect visitors related to Marigold field, which will be a useful platform for conservation and studies about their role in pollination.