Status of invasive plants on local pollination networks: A case study of Tagetes minuta in tibet based on pollen grains from pollinators

Abstract

Invasive plants that use local pollinators would better ensure their expansion in the new environment, but the role and status of the invasive plants on local pollination network is still unclear. In this paper, we analyzed the pollen grains of Tagetes minuta carried by pollinators and constructed a plant-pollinator network, to explore the roles and impacts of T. minuta in local pollination network. The results showed that pollination system of T. minuta was generalized, and there were 13 insect species visiting its flowers, 12 of which carried pollen grains of T. minuta, and the pollen grains of T. minuta accounted for 89.89%. Among the 12 pollinator species of T. minuta, one species of bees, two species of scorpion flies and one species of flies are the main pollinators. This study reveals that T. minuta has successfully used a variety of local pollinators for pollination in a relatively short period of time, indicating that T. minuta has strong adaptability and diffusion ability, and it is necessary to pay more attentions to the prevention and control of T. minuta in the future.