Flower Pollinator Interactions within Two Tropical Tree Species of Mizoram, North East India

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between plants and pollinators is vital in exploring the structural and functional dynamics of tropical forest ecosystem. Such interactions are also helpful in resolving issues of regeneration, maintenance of biodiversity and conservation of tropical forest resources. The aim of this study was to understand the foraging behaviour of floral visitors of two valuable forest species in North East India, viz. Schima wallichii Choisy and Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. The types and behaviour of pollinators were assessed by counting of the total number of visits by insects during day time (05:00-18:00) per field visit/flower in the peak flowering season, foraging rate (number of flowers visited/minutes) and average time spent per flower. The frequency of pollinator visits was also determined in terms of visits/flower/hour. Ten species belonging to seven families were recorded visiting S. wallichii flowers. The flowers of L. speciosa were mainly visited by three species in the family Apidae and one species in the family Calliphoridae. Various moth and bee species were involved in pollination of S. wallichii flowers. The Xylcopa spp. of bee showed a high level of functional synchronisation with the floral morphology of L. speciosa.