Abundance of insect pollinators in cowpea

Abstract

During the 2023 kharif season, the Central Research Farm, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, undertook research on the Abundance of insect pollinators in cowpea in Trans-Yamuna region. five insect pollinators visits were identified in cowpea. Apis dorsata, Apis cerena indica, Apis mellifera, Danus chrysippus, and Polyommatus icarus. Apis mellifera was the most common, with 36.48% of visits. Apis cerena indica and Apis dorsata followed with 31.73% and 23.16%. Danus chrysippus and Polyommatus icarus had fewer visits. This highlights the importance of honeybees for cowpea pollination. The study also looked at how weather affects these pollinators. Data on temperature, humidity, rainfall, and sunshine were collected on the same dates. There was non-significant correlation found between the number of insect visitation in cowpea and the following factors: temperature, sunshine, relative humidity, and rainfall. The only significant finding was that humidity strongly influenced Polyommatus icarus (r = 0.836, p<0.05). Other weather factors did not significantly affect pollinator numbers. These results suggest that humidity is important for some pollinators, which can help improve crop management and pollination.