The Diversity of Insects Visiting Flowers of Saw Palmetto (Arecaceae)

Authors

  • Mark Deyrup
  • Leif Deyrup

Abstract

A survey of insect visitors on flowers of Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) at a Florida site, the Archbold Biological Station, showed how nectar and pollen resources of a plant species can contribute to taxonomic diversity and ecological complexity. A list of 311 species of flower visitors was dominated by Hymenoptera (121 spp.), Diptera (117 spp.), and Coleoptera (52 spp.). Of 228 species whose diets are known, 158 are predators, 47 are phytophagous, and 44 are decomposers. Many species that visited S. repens flowers also visited flowers of other species at the Archbold Biological Station. The total number of known insect-flower relationships that include S. repens is 2,029. There is no evidence of oligolectic species that are dependent on saw palmetto flowers. This study further emphasizes the ecological importance and conservation value of S. repens.

Resumen: Un estudio sobre los insectos que visitan las flores de Serenoa repens (palma enana americana o palmito de sierra) en un sitio de la Florida, la Estación Biológica Archbold, mostró cómo los recursos de néctar y polen de una especie vegetal puede contribuir a la diversidad taxonómica y complejidad ecológica. Una lista de 311 especies de visitantes de flores fue dominada por los Hymenóptera (121 spp.), Diptera (117 spp.) y Coleoptera (52 spp.). De las 228 especies cuyas dietas son conocidas, 158 son depredadores, 47 son fitófagos, y 44 son descomponedores. Muchas de las especies que visitaron las flores de S. repens también visitaron las flores de otras especies en la Estación Biológica Archbold. El número total conocidos de relaciones entre insectos y flores que incluye S. repens es 2029. No hay evidencia de especies oligolecticas que dependen de las flores de la palma enana americana. Este estudio destaca además la importancia ecológica y el valor para la conservación de S. repens.

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Published

2012-09-01

Issue

Vol. 95, No. 3 (September 2012)

Section

Research Papers

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