Survey and surveillance of pollinators of mango in South Konkan coastal region of Maharashtra

Abstract

The present study was conducted to record the major pollinators of mango in South Konkan coastal region of Maharashtra during the flowering season of 2011 and 2012. The results revealed that the stingless bee (Tetragonula sp.), blow fly (Chrysomya sp.), Indian honey bee (Apis indica Fab.), syrphid fly (Syrphus sp.), gaint honey bee (Apis dorsata Fab.), wasp (Vespula orientalis Lin.), house fly (Musca sp.), red ant (Oecophylla smaragdina Fab.), black ant (unidentified) and lady beetle (Cheilomenes sexmaculata Fab.) were the important pollinators of mango in Konkan region. The study on intensity of the major pollinators indicated that the intensity of stingless bee Tetragonula sp. was high (11.50/hour) followed by honey bee, Apis indica Fab. (6.40/panicle/hour) and blow fly, Chrysomya sp. (5.85/panicle/hour) during flowering period and the peak intensity of these pollinators was observed during 4th to 6th standard meteorological week.