Pollination of Grewia asiatica (Malvaceae) by Megachile cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): Male vs. Female Pollination

• DOI: 10.13102/sociobiology.v66i3.4345
• Publication Date: 2019-11-21T16:28:20Z
• Authors: Asif Sajjad; Waseem Akram; Sajjad Ali; Muhammad Aslam Fa...; Ghulam Mujtaba; Mudssar Ali; Ammad Ahmad
• Keywords: Megachilidae; Open pollination

Phalsa, Grewia asiatica is a multi-purpose crop while cross-pollination can significantly improve its reproductive success. Megachile bees (Megachilidae) are the most important group of pollinators G. asiatica. In this study we observed foraging behavior cephalotes and ultimate impact on success phalsa at Bahawalpur (Punjab), Pakistan. Although visitation rate stay time were statistically similar in both sexes but frequency (2.06±0.14 individuals/120 seconds) pollen deposition (39.35±3.17 grains /stigma/visit) females higher than that males (0.44±0.06 seconds 12.05±1.19 grains/stigma/visit, respectively). The environmental factors (i.e. ambient temperature, relative humidity, sunlight intensity wind speed) greatly influenced -either positively or negatively- (Pearson’s correlation). Female pollinated fruits greater weight (0.41±0.017 g) followed by open (0.31±0.012 male (0.27±0.011 fruits. Percent loss remained lower female until12 hours after harvest. Fruit wrinkling increased with increase post-harvest intervals open, fruit color changed only results present suggest M. as efficient terms it parameters. Future studies should focus biology ecology special artificial nesting.