Temporal variation in the behavior of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Lycastrirhyncha nitens (Diptera: Syrphidae) on Pontederia sagittata (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae) inflorescences in relation to nectar availability
Keywords:
Apis mellifera, flower fly, tristyly, behavior, nectarAbstract
Insect-pollinated plants offer nectar as the main reward, which influences the preference of flower visitors. We describe the feeding behavior of the exotic bee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the flower fly Lycastrirhyncha nitens (Bigot) (Diptera: Syrphidae) on tristylous flowers of Pontederia sagittata (C. Presl) (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae) in relation to temporal nectar availability. The production of this resource was similar between floral morphs but there were temporal variations during the anthesis period, in a coincidence with a higher number of visitors and activity of bees and flies. The dynamics of nectar production could be related to the feeding behavior of these insects despite the similarity in daily nectar volume produced in all the 3 types of flowers. The variations of nectar feeding may affect the transportation of pollen among the 3 floral morphs.
Resumen
Las plantas polinizadas por insectos ofrecen el néctar como la principal recompensa que influye las preferencias de los visitantes florales. Describimos el comportamiento de alimentación de la abeja exótica Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) y la mosca de las flores Lycastrirhyncha nitens (Bigot) (Diptera: Syrphidae) en las flores tristílicas de Pontederia sagittata (C. Presl) (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae) en relación con la disponibilidad temporal de néctar. La producción de este recurso fue similar entre los morfos florales pero hubo variación temporal durante el periodo de antesis, en coincidencia con un mayor número de visitantes y actividad de abejas y moscas. La dinámica en la producción de néctar podría estar relacionada con el comportamiento de alimentación de estos insectos a pesar de la similitud en los valores de volumen de néctar producido por los tres tipos de flores. Las variaciones en el consumo de néctar podría afectar el transporte de polen entre los tres morfos florales.
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