Foraging behavior of floral visitors of three mangrove species (Aegiceras floridum Roem. and Schults., Scyphiphora hydriphyllacea Gaertn. f., and Xylocarpus granatum Koen.) in Pagbilao Mangrove forest, Quezon province [Philippines]
2014
Cervancia, C.R. | Almazol, A.E.
The flowers of Aegiceras floridum and Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea were pollinated by carpenter bees Xylocopa (Koptortosoma) bombiformis, X. (Koptorsoma) chlorine and X. (Koptortosoma) bakeriana, and honeybee, Apis dorsata breviligula and Apis cerena. The bees started foraging as soon as the flowers began to open at 0530h until 1700h. In both plant species, most number of floral visitors was from 0900h to 1100h, which is also the peak of anthesis. Other minor species observed on the flowers were stingless bees. Tetragonula biroi, Vespa sp., Halictus sp., Chrysomya sp., and, Calliphora sp. The primary pollinator of Xylocarpus granatum was a noctuid moth that started to forage at the onset of anthesis at 1600h with a peak at 1900h to 2100h. The population declined but were observed foraging until 1700h the following day. Vespa sp. and Halictus sp., were present from 0500h until 1400h. The activities of pollinators and other floral visitors synchronized with anthesis. The mangroves provide habitat to a wide variety of insects, including pollinator species that contribute to the diversity of the ecosystem.
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