Insect pollinator fauna of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) ecosystem

Abstract

Insect pollinator fauna, their diversity and abundance was studied in coriander during rabi 2018-19 at S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati. Coriander flowers were visited by ten species of insects belonging to four orders. The family, Apidae constituted the major pollinators among the total pollinator guild. Within Apidae, Indian bee (Apis cerana indica F.) was most abundant followed by little bee (A. florea F) and Stingless bee (Tetragonula iridipennis Smith). Foraging activity of major floral visitors began from 07.00 h, Indian bee exhibited a bimodal peak within a day between 09.30-11.05 h and 15.30-17.05 h, whereas, A. florea and T. iridipennis showed single peak during 12.30-14.05 h and 09.30-13.30 h, respectively. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) remained less in the early hours following an increase later in the day and then, remained same throughout the day with two small peaks in the morning and noon hours. Berger-Parker dominance (d) and “H” index increased with increasing per cent floral abundance.