DIVERSITY, RELATIVE ABUNDANCE AND FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF INSECT POLLINATORS ON MURRAYA KOENIGII (L. ) (RUTACEAE)

Abstract

The present studies on diversity, relative abundance and foraging behaviour of insect pollinators on Murraya koenigii (L.)was carried out during March -April 2016 at Akot town situated in Akola district of Maharashtra.Ten insect species visited Murraya koenigii flowers viz.Five hymenopterans and five lepidopterons.This study revealed that hymenopterans were found to be the most dominant (97.5%) flower visitors, followed by lepidopteron insects (2.5%).Among these Apis florea, Apis cerana indica, and Apis dorsata were found to be the most frequent pollinators.The result on foraging behaviour of bees Apis florea started visiting Murraya koenigii flowers in early morning at 06. 00 hrs, Apis cerana indica at 6. 30 hrs and ceased their activity later in the evening.Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata , they started visiting the flowers from 7. 00hrs.Maximum foraging was by Apis florea (12 flowers /minute) followed by Apis cerana indica (10 flowers/minute) and Apis dorsata (9-10 flowers /minute).Time spent per flower was the maximum with lepidopteron (25 sec./flower) followed by Moth (15 sec./flower)