Report on the natural occurrence of insect pollinators in a mango orchard.
Eardley C. D., Mansell M. W.
Author Affiliation: Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 14 : 65-66
Abstract : A total of 816 visits by species of Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera were recorded in a flowering mango orchard in Letsitele Valley, S. Africa, in August 1993. The most abundant insects were small carpenter bees (Braunsapis spp., 188 visits), the blowflies Stomorhina rugosa (87) and Rhyncomya forcipata (76), and honey bees (Apis mellifera, 51). Most insects occurred in low numbers and robbed flowers of nectar. Because of their small size, the Braunsapis species are considered to be the most efficient pollinators of the tiny mango flowers.ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:A total of 816 insect visits were recorded in a flowering mango orchard on the Ryfontein farm in the Letsitele Valley during Aug. 1993. The most abundant insects were the small carpenter bees, Baunsapis sp. (25%). Honey bees represented 18% of all insect visitors. Blow flies (22%) were also frequently observed. Most insects occurred in low numbers and simply robbed the flowers of nectar in passing through the orchard. The interesting complement of bees (including the honey bee) and flies, clearly had a significant effect on the pollination of the mango flowers.