Pollinators visiting sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed crop with reference to foraging activity of some bee species

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the insect pollinator orders visiting sesame, fluctuation percent of Hymenopterous fauna during flowering period, foraging activity of the pollinating insects belonging to Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera orders and foraging activity of Apis mellifera, Anthidium sp. and Xylocopa sp. from July 15 to September 4, 2011 at four time periods i.e., 9-11 am, 11-1 pm, 1-3 pm and 3-5 pm. Results revealed that insect percentage of Hymenoptera order was high followed by Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. The highest activity of Hymenopterous fauna was in fourth week of flowering period and decreased gradually in the last weeks. Total number of pollinators was highest at 9-11 am followed by that at 11-1 pm, 1-3 pm and 3-5 pm. Among the bees, the number of Apis mellifera was the maximum followed by Xylocopa sp. and lastly Anthidium sp. at all time periods. It was also evident that temperature, wind and relative humidity also affect the percentage of insects visiting sesame flowers.