Visitors of alfalfa flowers and their pollination efficiency
1998
Martin, A.-J. | Maend, M. | Luik, A. | Maavara, V. (Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu (Estonia). Dept. of Plant Protection) | Bender, A. (Jogeva Plant Breeding Institute, Jogeva (Estonia))
Natural pollinators of local alfalfa species and their cultivars as well as the pollination efficiency of pollinators were studied. The investigations were carried out from 1984 to 1997 in the fields of Medicago varia Mart. and Medicago sativa L. located in different regions of Estonia. A total of eleven of solitary bees, six species of bumble bees, honey bee and several butterflies were caught from alfalfa flowers and from trap-nest placed in the fields. Insect speciescollected from alfalfa flowers as well as their finding and nesting sites are presented. Insects visiting alfalfa flowers can be classified into three categories: effective pollinators, i.e. pollen collectors who trip and pollinate flowers; occasional pollinators, i.e. nectar collectors who trip and thus pollinated occasionally a certain small proportion of flowers; visitors - non-pollinators
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