Comportamento de forrageamento de abelhas e outros insetos nas panículas da mangueira (Mangifera indica L.) e produção de frutos

Abstract

This research was carried out to study the frequency and constancy of visitors on mango inflorescence (Mangifera indica L.) as well as collection type (nectar and pollen), its forage behaviour and these effects on fruit production. The frequency and collection type by insects on flowers were obtained in the first ten minutes of each hour between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with three replications in two years. The pollination test was performed with two treatments: covered flowers and uncovered flowers with free insect visits. Diptera order insects, stingless bees Tetragonisca angustula and Diabrotica speciosa were constant species on mango flowers, and Diptera insects were the more frequent visitors. Fruition percentage was higher in flowers visited by insects.