Abstract
Insects play a major role in pollination of teak. Insect visitation was observed to commence in the morning and continued till noon after which the activity decreased. Maximum insect visit coincided with the anthesis, which occurred from 8 AM to 12 PM. Insects observed on the teak florescence belonged to the orders Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, and Hemiptera. Of these, maximum number of species belonged to Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. Based on the quantity of pollen carried and potential to effect pollen transfer, the solitary bees, Halictus tectonae Narendran & Joberaj, Nomia ellioti Smith, Anthophora niveocincta Smith and A. zonata Lin. as well as the wasps Eumenes flavopicta Blanch. and Rhynchium brunneum (Smith) were ranked as the most efficient pollinators. When the approach of the pollinators to the teak inflorescence was prevented using nylon nets and cloth bags, that inflorescence showed marked reduction in fruit setting, which indicates the role of insects in pollination of teak.
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