Visiting Frequency of Bees in Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae) Plants

Abstract

The flowers of Cucumis sativus are hermaphrodite which are male and female flowers separately. This requires pollinating agents to be able to carry out the pollination process.This study aimed to determine the visiting behavior of bees in cucumber flower C. cativusat organic farm, Caping Merapi Yogyakarta. Cucumber plants have an open flower shape that is easily accessible to various types of insects. We found the bees that visit the cucumber flowers include Xylocopa confusa, Xylocopa latipes, and Apis cerana. Bees X. confusa, X. latipes, and A. cerana visiting cucumber flowers aim to collect pollen and nectar. X. confusa was found to visit 30 ± 4.4 flowers / minute, X. latipes 10 ± 5.3 flowers / minute, and A. cerana 23 ± 3.6 flowers / minute. The results of research that has been carried out for 15 days of observation found X. Confusa is the most visitor in cucumber flowers, while the frequency of the presence of X. latipes is the lowest in cucumber flowers. The presence frequency of bees in cucumber flowers can be an indicator that the bee has the potential to pollinate cucumber flowers.