STUDIES ON THE IMPACT OF HABITAT ON INSECT POLLINATOR DIVERSITY ON CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum L.) BLOOM
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Date
2013
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to determine the impact of habitat on insect
pollinator diversity on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) bloom. In the present studies,
standard protocol methods of measuring insect pollinators diversity have been followed. The
studies were conducted at two different habitats, in habitat 1, field is surrounded by cultivable
crop while in habitat 2, field is surrounded by natural vegetation. Thirty nine insects
belonging to 31 genera under 18 families and 8 orders were observed in the experimental
habitats surrounding coriander crop. More insects were observed in coriander field
surrounded by natural vegetation (habitat 2) as compared to field surrounded by cultivable
crop (habitat1).Order Diptera formed 94 per cent of the insect visitors in scan sampling.
Episyrphus balteatus and other syrphids were significantly higher in habitat 2 (field
surrounded by natural vegetation), in comparison to habitat 1 (field surrounded by cultivable
crop).Hive bees and wild bees activity was observed quite low which did not vary
significantly during different flowering stages. Insect visitors trapped in fluorescent pan traps
showed that more insects were trapped at full bloom stage. In habitat 1, equal number of
insects was trapped at end of bloom and full bloom stage in coriander field. Relative
abundance (by scan sampling) and diversity (by sweep net method), in general, was
statistically more at 1000 h than at 1200h and 1500h. Different Shannon Weiner pollinator
diversity index for different sampling methods indicated that for sampling pollinator diversity
all the methods have to be collectively employed as no single method is fully reliable. The
artificially provided trap nesting materials were not occupied by the bees. Bees from family of
Megachilidae, Halictidae and Apidae were found on coriander bloom.