Effect of fungicides used for powdery mildew disease management on the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a biocontrol agent of sap-sucking pests in cashew crops in Tanzania
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Date
2013-10
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Abstract
The efficacy of pollination biology of Mesogyne insignis ispoorly known in fragmented forests of Amani NatureReserve. This study was conducted to determine the effectof forest fragmentation on potential pollinators of thisendangered species. Three intact forests and three forestfragments were selected for this study, the intact forestsserving as control. Visual observation of insects visitinginflorescences, insect trapping and pollinator exclusionexperiments were the methods employed in assessing pol-lination. Most members of the solitary bee genus Megachilewere found to be potential pollinators of M. insignis.Diversity of pollinators was significantly higher in intactforests than in forest fragments. Overall, the total numberof fruits set was significantly higher in intact forests thanin forest fragments, perhaps a reflection of the higherdiversity and abundance of potential pollinators in an in-tact forest. The pollination system of M. insignis is gen-eralist in terms of systematic group of pollinators, andforest fragmentation may have significant impact on thispollination pattern. A similar study should be conducted inother Eastern Arc Mountains where M. insignis grows tofind out whether the potential pollinators are similar or not
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Keywords
Castilleae, Inflorescence, Moraceae, Obligatemutualism, Reproductive success
Citation
Olotu, M.I., Maniania, N.K., Ekesi, S., Seguni, Z.S. and du Plessis, H., 2013. Effect of fungicides used for powdery mildew disease management on the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a biocontrol agent of sap-sucking pests in cashew crops in Tanzania. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 33(4), p.283.