Diversity of flower visitor insects in monoculture of luffa [Luffa acutangula L.] and intercropping of luffa and bitter melon [Momordica charantia L.]

Abstract

Insects play important roles in pollinating flowers. The success of a plant to produce fruit depends more on the pollinating insects than other factors. This research aimed to study the diversity of species of flower-visiting insects and their role in monoculture and intercropping systems. The research was conducted on luffa [Luffa actangula] and intercropping between luffa and bitter gourd [Momordica charantia] in a vegetable crop center in Tanjung Pering Village, Inderalaya District, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatera. Insects observations were carried out visually [scan sampling] and insects behavior was documented. The observations indicated in intercropping plants the number of insects visiting flowers was more than in monocultures, both in terms of species and numbers. The monoculture system was visited by 4 orders, 5 families, and 7 species, whereas the intercropping system was visited by 6 orders, 12 families, and 16 species. Insects visiting flowers, both adult and larva/nymph, acted as flower eaters, predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. The visit times varied with an intercropping range of 10 seconds to 3 minutes. The order of Hymenoptera dominated the presence of insects both in monoculture and intercropping systems.