Insect pollinators, their diversity, foraging behaviour and relative abundance on litchi, okra and sarson

Abstract

The study focused on the importance of the role of insects as pollinators with reference to the fruit crop Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Litchi) and the vegetable crops Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (Okra) and Brassica campestris (L) var.(Sarson). The studies envisaged the diversity, relative abundance, foraging rate and foraging duration of important pollinators on the target crops. The studies revealed that the diversity of insect pollinators was crop specific. Honey bees were dominating the scene and were the most efficient pollinators of most crops. The exotic honey bee A. mellifera outscored the other pollinators where it was present. This could be explained on the basis of domestication and migration of this bee in the field areas. It was also observed that the diversity of insect pollinators on crops studied showed definite decline, when compared to earlier studies.