Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Ritesh Kumar and Poonam Srivastava

Abstract:
Insect pollinator abundance and diversity were assessed in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Totally, 17 species of Apis and non Apis bees were recorded commencing from 0800 up to 1800 hrs at hourly intervals during different stages of flowering. The composition of different orders comprising of pollinator fauna were, Hymenoptera (11), Diptera (2) and Lepidoptera (4), were found to visit the sunflower field. Among the Apis species (A. dorsata, A. mellifera and A. cerana indica), followed by non Apis (T. iridipennis) were most abundant visitors in the variety Morden. In a day maximum time spent by A. dorsata at 1000-1200 am the 21.33±4.72 second (time spent/flower) and minimum time spent at 1600-1800 pm (15.67±4.07/flower/second) during different day hours of the day. While in case of time spent by A. mellifera 14.67 to 22.33 second/flower followed by X. iridipennis 14.67 to 21.33 second/flower, M. disjuncta 14.67 to 18.67 in different day hours and lowest time spent by T. laeviceps 9.67 to 14.67 second/flower. In case of open pollination, the intensity of A. mellifera was observed significantly more at 1000-1200 hr (13.67 bee/ 2 m² /2 min) and reached at its peaks at 1400-1600 hr (16.67 bee /2 m²/2 min) and mean value of (11.08 bee/2m² /2 min). The intensity of A. cerana indica, Trigona laeviceps, Trigona iridipenni, A. dorsata mostly observed in 2000-4000 hr. The visitation of various pollinators was mostly active in during this period. The Apis dorsta reached at its peak at 2000-4000 hr (6.33 bee /2 m²/2 min) after that decline trend was observed at 4000-6000 hr. The A. cerana indica reached at peak period of 2000-4000 (12.33 bee/2 m² /2 min) after that decline trend was observed at 4000-600 hr. Followed by different lepidopteran population reached at its peak at 2000-4000 and after that decline trend observed 4000-6000 hr during this period.