Foraging Behaviour of Sunflower Pollinators

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to gather data on the diversity and foraging activity of sunflower pollinators. The result revealed that distinct patterns among the various pollinators. Apis dorsata exhibited strong preference for evening foraging with highest visit rate observed at 18.00 hr, reaching an impressive visit of 28.96/ m2/ min followed by 12.00 hr (4.33/ m2/ min). Apis florea also displayed preference for evening foraging, with its peak visit rate of 0.40/ m2/ min occurring at 18.00 hrs. In case of Trigona iridipennis maximum visit noticed at 12.00 hr (1.43/ m2/ min) which was at par with visits at 14.00 hr (1.40/ m2/ min). Xylocopa fenestrata exhibited its peak foraging activity at 12.00 hr (0.10/ m2/ min). In case of lepidoptera, butterfly and skipper were visiting at morning session while moth preferred evening hours. More visits of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (0.14/ m2/ min) were recorded at 16.00 hrs. The diptera species, Ischiodon scutallaris exhibited higher activity level at 12.00 hr, with a visit rate of 0.08/ m2/ min.