Indian Journal of Entomology
Year : 2018, Volume : 80, Issue : 3
First page : ( 1068) Last page : ( 1073)
Print ISSN : 0367-8288. Online ISSN : 0974-8172.
Article DOI : 10.5958/0974-8172.2018.00176.1

Relative abundance, foraging attributes and transit time of insect pollinators in pigeonpea

Singh A. K.

AICRP on (Honey Bees & Pollinators), Department of Entomology, School of Agriculture Sciences & Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema, 797106, Email: dr.akhileshento@rediffmail.com

Online published on 23 October, 2018.

Abstract

The observations on the relative abundance of pigeonpea pollinators revealed that it was dominated by Megachile spp. with Megachile lanata being the most abundant. The relative abundance was observed to be significantly high at the time span of 1001–1200 hr. The foraging speed and rate varied among species and stages of the blooms. The highest foraging rate was observed in Xylocopa tenuiscapa followed by Megachile spp. The highest foraging rate was observed during the peak of blooms (49^th standard week) and the lowest at commencement and cessation of the blooms. The lowest transit time was seen with M. lanata whereas the highest was with Megachile monticola including the highest transit time spent at the commencement and cessation of blooms. On the basis of foraging attributes, pollinators contribute their highest performance at the peak of blooms.

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Keywords

Pollinators, pigeonpea, diurnal abundance, foraging rate, foraging speed, transit time, Megachile spp, Xylocopa tenuiscapa.

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