POLLINATORS VISITING CARROT (DAUCUS CAROTA L.) SEED CROP

Abstract

Foraging activity of the pollinating insects belonging to Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera orders was observed at carrot umbels from 15 March to 15 April, 2000 at four time periods i.e., 8-9 am, 11-12 am, 2-3 pm and 5-6 pm. Number of insects belonging to Hymenoptera was higher followed by Diptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera during 8-9 and 11-12 am. Number of Dipterans was higher in the afternoon, i.e., at 2-3 pm and 5-6 pm. Total number of pollinators was highest at 8-9 am followed by that at 11-12 am, 2-3 pm and 5-6 pm. Among the bees, the number of Apis florea was maximum and that of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana was negligible at all time periods. It was also evident that temperature and relative humidity also affect the number of insects visiting carrot umbels.