Vol. 12, Special Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Kotesh Y Chavhan, KS Jagadish, Uthappa AR, D Shishira, Eswarappa G and Vijaya Kumar KT

Abstract:
The study on floral visitors of pomegranate recorded in Bhagwa variety revealed 20 species of insects. Eight species were belonging to the order Hymenoptera, eleven were Lepidopterans and one was a Hemipteran. Peak abundance of all foragers was observed from 0900 to 1300 h. Among different species of insect foragers, Apis dorsata was the most dominant with highest "d" value followed by Apis cerana indica. Apis cerana indica, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, and Tetragonula iridipennis were discovered to be the primary pollinators in pomegranate, while lepidopterans were frequent visits but poor pollinators. The hymenoptera order had the most pollinators, followed by lepidoptera. Non-Apis bees have also been identified as promising pollinators in pomegranate.