Studies on insect Pollinator Diversity, species Richness, and Evenness on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Author: Nishchith S., N. Aswathanarayana Reddy, Ramegowda G.K. and Krishna H.C.

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Abstract

A study on the diversity of insect pollinators was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Kolar during the summer season of 2020-21 on cucumber (var. Chitra). The crop was raised and maintained to attract insect pollinators. The probability of entomophilous pollination depends upon the diversity of insects. In the present study, a total of 19 insect species was found as pollinators for Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) belongs to thirteen families and five insect orders (Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera). Of which, Hymenoptera was found to be the most abundant order followed by Diptera. Apidae was found to be the most abundant family followed by Chrysomelidae and Sarcophagidae. The study revealed that Apis cerana was found to be a major pollinator, followed by A. florea during the entire flowering period. Among the insect pollinators, six species were found foraging for both pollen and nectar, whereas seven species were found foraging for only pollen and six species for only nectar. Shannon index (H) for pollinator diversity was estimated as 0.9159 in four weeks duration of peak flowering, which reflects high species diversity. Simpson index (D) for species richness of insect pollinators was estimated as 0.2162 in four weeks duration of peak flowering indicating the higher abundance of the pollinator species. There is more than a 21 per cent chance of different insect pollinators when randomly captured in the summer season and the Pielous index (J) for species evenness of insect pollinators was estimated as 0.7162 in four weeks duration of peak flowering, indicating moderate evenness during the entire flowering period. Information regarding species eveness of the different insect pollinators is very limited. The following research work helps in filling the gap and also suggest information about the Bioanalytical tool, Pielous index in Eastern dry Zone of Karnataka and other plant- pollinators relationship in cucumber crop.

Keywords

Cucumis sativus, evenness on cucumber, faunal diversity, Insect pollinators, species richness

Conclusion

Cucumis sativus attracts more insect pollinators. Bees along with other insect pollinators play an important role in the pollination of cucumber. During this study, we come across 19 species of insect pollinators, which indicates the richness of bee pollinators for this single crop. Other indices also reveal the high diversity of insect pollinators and their dominance in this crop. It was proposed that farmers actively participate in bee farming in their respective fields because, without the presence of insect pollinators, agricultural work cannot be sustained.

References

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How to cite this article

Nishchith, S., N. Aswathanarayana Reddy, Ramegowda G.K. and Krishna H.C. (2023). Studies on insect Pollinator Diversity, species Richness, and Evenness on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 1460-1465.