AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightIn the second order, M. maritima again prefers Asteraceae spp. but I. cimbiciforme prefers Fabaceae.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Entomopalynology is the study of pollen found on the body or in the gut of insects. It is useful for determining insect feeding and migratory habits, especially as it involves economically important insects (as the boll weevil, or bees). Studies on pollen preferences of pollinators are key for the conservation of plant biodiversity, because pollinators play an important role in the reproductive success and gene flow of many important plant groups to agriculture and forestry and these plants in turn are important food sources for pollinators (Laroca & Orth, 2002). However, habitat and life cycle of many pollinators are not known. Such informations are required to answer the questions of which flowers are visited at which frequency, the effects of genetically modified plants on them and what if they disappear (Jones & Jones 2001). Species belonging to the Megachilidae familya are the pollinators of many plants with economic significance. Megachile spp., Osmia spp. and Anthidium spp. are used as commercial pollinators since they have high levels of pollination on lucerne (Medicago sativa), clover (Trifolium spp.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) (Whitfield et al. 1987; Frohlich 1990; Özbek & Zanden 1992).It is also known that these species are influential in pollination of economically significant products such as sunflower (Helianthus annus), strawberry (Fragaria xananassa), shrubby blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), almond (Prunus amygdalus), plum (Prunus domestica), cherry (Prunus avium), common pear (Pyrus communis) and apple (Malus pumila) (Parker 1986; Fairey et al. 1989; Torchio 1990; Bosch 1994; Pinzauti et al. 1997; Bosch et al. 2000). M. maritima is included under the red list in Germany, Holland and Ireland (Westrich & Dathe 1997; Peeters & Reemer 2003; Fitzpatrick et al. 2006). There is not enough studies on the pollen preferences of I. cimbiciforme. Therefore, the plant species preferred by Megachile maritima (Kirby, 1802) and Icteranthidium cimbiciforme (Smith, 1854) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) were investigated in this study. Samples are collected by insect net from Ankara (AyaĢ, GölbaĢı, Güdül ve Kızılcahamam) and EskiĢehir (Alpu ve Sivrihisar) provinces during June- August periods of 2000 and 2001. In pollen preparation, abdominal scopas of females of species with the equal number (22+22) were used. Pollen diagnose was carried out based on previous studies and reference preparation. The findings of the study shown that M. maritima collects the pollen of Asteraceae (81,62%) and Rosaceae (18,25%), while I. cimbiciforme of Asteraceae (68,03%) and Fabaceae (31,84%). Therefore, both species are proved again to be polylectic species. Firstly it is found that Rosaceae is preferred by M. maritima and Fabaceae by I. cimbiciforme. Although their highest preferences is common, namely Carduus spp. (Asteraceae) their lowest preferences vary. In the second order, M. maritima again prefers Asteraceae spp. but I. cimbiciforme prefers Fabaceae.
Özet
Bu çalı mada, potansiyel polinatörlerden olan Megachile maritima (Kirby) ve Icteranthidium cimbiciforme (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)’nin besin tercihlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmı tır. Örnekler Ankara ve Eski ehir illerinden atrapla toplanmı tır. Shannon çe itlilik indeksinin kullanıldı ı çalı ma sonucunda, M. maritima türünün Asteraceae ve Rosaceae, I. cimbiciforme’nin ise Asteraceae ve Fabaceae familyalarının polenlerini topladı ı belirlenmi tir. Ayrıca, Rosaceae’nin M. maritima’nın, Fabaceae’nin ise I. cimbiciforme’nin besin tercihleri arasında oldu u ilk kez bu çalı mada saptanmı tır. Her iki türün de en fazla Carduus spp. (Asteraceae)’ni tercih etmelerine ra men, sonraki tercihlerinin birbirinden farklılık gösterdi i; M. maritima’nın ikinci sırada yine Asteraceae türlerini tercih ederken, I. Cimbiciforme’nin Fabaceae polenlerini topladı ı tespit edilmi tir