Diversity,abundance and foraging behaviour of insect pollinators in Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus L.)

Insect pollinators and flowering plants have co-evolved together for millions of years, developing a wide array of mutualistic interactions. Several cultivated plant species depend exclusively on insect-mediated pollination services for their subsistence, reproduction and survival. Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus, a popular edible root vegetable (Family: Brassicaceae) completely depends on pollinators as self-pollination is totally absent due to sporophytic self-incompatibility. The present study was conducted at the experimental fields of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, to understand the diversity and foraging behaviour of insect pollinators in R. sativus. Continuous survey during the flowering period revealed that a total of fifteen insect species that belong to three insect orders (Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera) were found to visit R. sativus flowers. The most abundant species was Apis florea L., followed by Apis dorsata F., Tetragonula iridipennis (Smith), Apis cerana F., Lassioglossum sp. and Ischiodon scutellaris F. Floral visitors differed significantly in terms of their visitation frequency, with A. florea (0.76 ± 0.22 visits/flower/ min) being the most frequent visitor followed by A. dorsata (0.66 ± 0.21 visits/flower/ min) and T. iridipennis (0.59 ± 0.14 visits/flower/30 min). The maximum visitation rate was recorded for A. dorsata (7.8 ± 1.40 flowers visited/min) followed by A. cerana (6 ± 1.15). The maximum stay time on individual flower was recorded for Lassioglossum sp. (48.2 ± 3.67 sec) followed by T. iridipennis (44.2 ± 4.24 sec). The maximum numbers of pollen grains were deposited by A. dorsata (206.70 ± 56.45) followed by A. cerana (151.20 ± 31.84). All the floral visitors except A. florea made contact with stigma on every single visit (100 %). While, only 53 per cent of total visitation by the Apis florea led to stigma contact. Further, nectar robbing behaviour was majorly exhibited by A. florea and Delta conoideum compared to all other insect pollinators observed. Based on the overall pollinator effectiveness per day A. dorsata was found to be the most effective single pollinator species.     

The pollination efficiency of a pollinator depends on its foraging strategy,flowering phenology,and the flower characteristics of a plant species

Honey bees and stingless bees are generalist visitors of several wild and cultivated plants. They forage with a high degree of floral fidelity and thereby help in the pollination services of those plants. We hypothesized that pollination efficiency might be influenced by flowering phenology, floral characteristics, and resource collection modes of the worker bees. In this paper, we surveyed the foraging strategies of honey bees (Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, and Apis florea) and stingless bees (Tetragonula iridipennis) concerning their pollination efficiencies. Bees showed different resource gathering strategies, including legitimate (helping in pollination as mixed foragers and specialized foragers) and illegitimate (serving as nectar robbers and pollen thieves) types of flower visitation patterns. Foraging strategies are influenced by the shape of flowers, the timing of the visitation, floral richness, and bee species. Honey bees and stingless bees mainly acted as legitimate visitors in most plants studied. Sometimes honey bees served as nectar robbers in tubular flowers and stingless bees as pollen thieves in large-sized flowers. Among the legitimate categories, mixed foragers have a comparatively lower flower visitation rate than the specialized nectar and pollen foragers. However, mixed foragers have greater abundance and higher values of the single-visit pollination efficiency index (PEi) than nectar and pollen foragers. The value of the combined parameter ‘importance in pollination (PI)’ was thus higher in mixed foragers than in nectar and pollen foragers.     

Imidacloprid Alters Foraging and Decreases Bee Avoidance of Predators

Concern is growing over the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, which can impair honey bee cognition. We provide the first demonstration that sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid can harm honey bee decision-making about danger by significantly increasing the probability of a bee visiting a dangerous food source. Apis cerana is a native bee that is an important pollinator of agricultural crops and native plants in Asia. When foraging on nectar containing 40 µg/L (34 ppb) imidacloprid, honey bees (Apis cerana) showed no aversion to a feeder with a hornet predator, and 1.8 fold more bees chose the dangerous feeder as compared to control bees. Control bees exhibited significant predator avoidance. We also give the first evidence that foraging by A. cerana workers can be inhibited by sublethal concentrations of the pesticide, imidacloprid, which is widely used in Asia. Compared to bees collecting uncontaminated nectar, 23% fewer foragers returned to collect the nectar with 40 µg/L imidacloprid. Bees that did return respectively collected 46% and 63% less nectar containing 20 µg/L and 40 µg/L imidacloprid. These results suggest that the effects of neonicotinoids on honey bee decision-making and other advanced cognitive functions should be explored. Moreover, research should extend beyond the classic model, the European honey bee (A. mellifera), to other important bee species.     

多叶斑叶兰繁育系统与传粉生物学研究

为探讨多叶斑叶兰(Goodyera folisa)的繁育系统与传粉生物学特征,对其开花物候、花粉活力与柱头可授性、人工授粉、花的挥发性成分以及昆虫传粉行为进行了研究。结果表明,多叶斑叶兰的唇瓣黄色,萼片白色或白色带红褐色;单花花期为(9.4±0.8)d;花粉在开花后第1天具备活力,柱头在开花后第2天具备可授性,花粉活力和柱头可授性都在开花后第5天达到峰值。去雄套袋和不去雄套袋都不能结实,人工自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株异花授粉的结实率分别为93.3%、95.0%和96.7%,自然结实率为43.3%。花朵的主要挥发性成分为1-辛烯-3-醇、3-辛醇和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。多叶斑叶兰传粉者为中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana)。多叶斑叶兰具有自交亲和能力,但在自然界不具有主动自交现象,必须依赖中华蜜蜂传粉,花色及花香气味为吸引传粉者的主要因素。     

A double-edged sword: Amylostereum areolatum odors attract both Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) and its parasitoid,Ibalia leucospoides

The Eurasian woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, is an invasive pest of pines in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, and has been introduced to North America. A parasitoid, Ibalia leucospoides, has been broadly employed for biological control of this pest. Volatiles emitted from the fungal symbiont of S. noctilio, Amylostereum areolatum, are reliable cues for S. noctilio and I. leucospoides females to optimize their foraging behavior (host location and host habitat finding) in a chemically complex environment. The headspace volatiles of A. areolatum, were analyzed using coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) for both S. noctilio and I. leucospoides females. Analyses revealed that both species could detect several fungal volatiles. In olfactometer bioassays, S. noctilio females were attracted to a 4-component blend of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, trans-3-hexenyl acetate, linalool, and geraniol, while the addition of ρ-anisaldehyde to the blend was necessary for attraction of I. leucospoides females. The results of trap catches in field experiments confirmed that these fungal volatiles in combination with host tree volatiles are attractive to both species, although the release rate of the fungal volatiles is important. These volatiles can serve as a basis for the development of improved lures for both species.     

Floral biology and pollination in Cucumis melo L., a tropical andromonoecious cucurbit

We studied floral biology and the role of flower visitors in fruit set of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). Muskmelon produced Staminate (hereafter ‘S’) and Hermaphrodite (hereafter ‘H’) flowers with a ratio of 18:1. Flowers opened around 40 days after planting and flowering continued for another 40 days. Longevity of both types of flowers was one day. Anthesis in S flowers was earlier (0545–0700 h) than that of H flowers (0700–0830 h). Anther dehiscence occurred 10–15 min after anthesis in both the flowers. The number of pollen grains in H flowers was significantly lower (2715 ± 143) than S flowers (4968 ± 398). Pollen viability and stigma receptivity was maximum between 1600 and 1800 h. The pollen tube of pollen grains from H flowers grew very slowly and never reached the ovary. There were two peaks in nectar production in a day (1000–1200 h and 1400–1800 h). Sixteen species of insects belonging to Hymenoptera (81.25%), Diptera (12.50%) and Lepidoptera (6.5%) visited muskmelon flowers. Major visitors were honeybees, Apis cerana F. and A. florea F. and both were efficient pollinators. Diversity and abundance of flower visitors positively correlated with floral abundance. In pollination exclusion experiments, no fruit set was observed in bagged, self-pollinated and the flowers artificially crossed only with other H pollen. But, those flowers hand pollinated with pollen from S flowers and ones that were allowed for open pollination set maximum fruits. The crop needs a minimum of 8–10 bee visits per flower to achieve the same level of pollination efficiency provided with natural/unrestrained visits.     

Larger bees facilitate the deposition of oilseed rape pollen (Brassica napus L.)

Oilseed rape is the third-largest source of vegetable oil and the second-largest source of protein meal in the world. Pollinators are vital in the production of oilseed rape. However, pollination efficiency could be influenced by the morphology and foraging behaviors of pollinators. To evaluate the effect of pollinator size and foraging behavior on pollination efficiency, the intertegular distances (ITDs) of five bumble bees (Bombus pyrosoma, B. lantschouensis, B. melanurus, B. sichelii and B. sibiricus) and two honey bees (Apis mellifera and A. cerana) were evaluated. Their foraging activities and single visit depositions (SVDs) on oilseed rape were observed and counted. The ITDs of bumble bees were significantly larger than honey bees (P < 0.05). The single-visit duration of A. mellifera (2.43 ± 0.06 s) was significantly longer than other bees (P < 0.05). The interval time of the A. cerana was longer than other bees (P < 0.05). Larger bees tended to deposit more pollen on stigmas at each visit than smaller bees. The interspecific ITD of bees had a positive effect on SVD (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between ITD and SVD among individuals of the same species. In conclusion, the size of bees had a positive impact on pollination efficiency. Bees with a greater ITD deposited substantially more pollen and had a significantly shorter interval between flowers. Understanding the foraging behavior and pollination efficiency of these bee species and developing habitats to support them should enable growers to achieve resilient production.     

红火蚁工蚁对棉蚜诱导的棉花挥发物的嗅觉和行为反应

【目的】红火蚁 Solenopsis invicta 与棉蚜 Aphis gossypii 存在兼性共生关系,红火蚁可能利用棉蚜危害诱导棉花释放的挥发物定位棉蚜。本研究将测试红火蚁工蚁对棉花挥发物的嗅觉和行为反应。【方法】使用Y型管实验测试红火蚁工蚁对棉花气味的行为反应;以红火蚁告警信息素2-乙基-3,5(6)-二甲基吡嗪为阳性对照,测试红火蚁工蚁对不同剂量(100, 10, 1 和0.1 μg)的9种棉花挥发物组分[α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、β-石竹烯、( E, E )-4,8,12-三甲基-1,3,7,11-十三碳四烯(TMTT)、( E )-4,8-二甲基-1,3,7-壬三烯(DMNT)、辛醛、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮、顺-3-己烯基乙酸酯和水杨酸甲酯]的触角电位反应;再利用Y型嗅觉仪测试这些挥发物对红火蚁工蚁的行为选择影响。【结果】结果表明,受棉蚜为害的棉花较健康棉花对红火蚁工蚁具有极显著的引诱效果。红火蚁对9种挥发物组分的EAG反应随着剂量升高而升高。各化合物在100 μg剂量时EAG反应值最大,其中,工蚁对水杨酸甲酯和6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮这两个化合物反应最强。在行为选择实验中,化合物水杨酸甲酯、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮和DMNT对红火蚁工蚁均具有显著的引诱效果。【结论】棉蚜诱导的棉花挥发物中水杨酸甲酯和6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮对红火蚁有显著的引诱效果,这2种化合物可能在红火蚁定位棉蚜、建立共生关系中起着关键的作用。     

The accuracy of morphometric characteristic analysis depends on the type of the assessed traits of honey bees (Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L.)

Conservation of honey bees as pollinators and honey producers requires their assessment using convenient general methods. One of the most commonly used methods involves assessment of morphometric characteristics using random traits. The purpose of the study was to determine a set of morphometric characteristics for identifying the local (R, H: Apis cerana koreana) and adapted (A, C, F: Apis melifera ligustica; D: Apis mellifera carpathica; V: Apis mellifera) lines of honey bees bred in Korea. We found traits with significant differences (p < 0.001), high discriminant coefficient (>100), and range of variation (<50 %). The analysis demonstrated that the widths of the abdomen, forewing, and head, and the lengths of the antenna, body, proboscis, tergites 4 and 3, and forewing can be used as the nine main morphological characteristics for distinguishing the bred lines of honey bees. Furthermore, the last two traits and the length of the head can be used for distinguishing the adapted subspecies A. m. ligustica and A. m. carpathica. Our observations can be used for improving the morphometric method for the conservation of honey bees.     

Role of colour and volatile in foraging behaviour of honeybee Apis cerana on Jacquemontia pentanthos

Floral visual and olfactory cues guide the insect visitors to the source of reward. This work addresses one such interaction between honeybee Apis cerana and a garden climber Jacquemontia pentanthos. Field studies have indicated that A. cerana showed preference to J. pentanthos over the other flowering plants during its visits for foraging. The objectives of the work is to understand the role of colour and scent in the attraction of Apis cerana to the host plant. Bioassays performed emphasized the involvement of colour and volatiles for the visits of A. cerana. Petals show high reflectance to ultraviolet light with ultraviolet absorbing regions in the centre which serve as a nectar guide. Gas chromatography linked electroanntenogram detector (GC-EAD) showed antennal response to the floral volatile of J. pentanthos identified as sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene. Behavioural studies have shown similar preference to β- caryophyllene as that of α-humulene. Our studies suggest an interplay of colour and volatiles cues for A. cerana visitation to Jacquemontia flowers and these findings are further supported by behavioural studies on.A. cerana.     

麦长管蚜和禾谷缢管蚜对小麦植株挥发物及蚜害诱导挥发物的行为反应

用四臂嗅觉计测定了麦长管蚜Macrosiphum avenae和禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphum padi对小麦植株挥发物及麦蚜取食诱导挥发物的行为反应,揭示了2种麦蚜的嗅觉及小麦植株的诱导防御反应特点.在所选的13种小麦植株挥发物及蚜害诱导挥发物组分中,6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-醇和水杨酸甲酯对这2种蚜虫表现出强的驱拒作用;反-2-己烯醛对麦长管蚜的有翅和无翅蚜的吸引作用最强;反-2-己烯醇对禾谷缢管蚜的无翅蚜吸引作用最强,反-3-己酰醋酸酯对禾谷缢管蚜有翅蚜的吸引作用最强.说明麦蚜取食能诱导小麦植株的防御反应,麦长管蚜和禾谷缢管蚜及其不同蚜型间嗅觉反应的特点不同.     

Production of 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol in engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum

The pentanol isomers 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol represent commercially interesting alcohols due to their potential application as biofuels. For a sustainable microbial production of these compounds, Corynebacterium glutamicum was engineered for producing 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol via the Ehrlich pathway from 2-keto-3-methylvalerate and 2-ketoisocaproate, respectively. In addition to an already available 2-ketoisocaproate producer, a 2-keto-3-methylvalerate accumulating C. glutamicum strain was also constructed. For this purpose, we reduced the activity of the branched-chain amino acid transaminase in an available C. glutamicum l-isoleucine producer (K2P55) via a start codon exchange in the ilvE gene enabling accumulation of up to 3.67 g/l 2-keto-3-methylvalerate. Subsequently, nine strains expressing different gene combinations for three 2-keto acid decarboxylases and three alcohol dehydrogenases were constructed and characterized. The best strains accumulated 0.37 g/l 2-methyl-1-butanol and 2.76 g/l 3-methyl-1-butanol in defined medium within 48 h under oxygen deprivation conditions, making these strains ideal candidates for additional strain and process optimization.     

Pollinator Limitation and Crop Production: Experimental Observations on Few Economically Important Vegetable Crops in West Bengal,India

Pollination limitation and its impact on agricultural production is a serious concern of recent time. Assessment of the extent of dependency of various pollinator dependent crops on insect pollination assumes importance in this context. On the other hand, measures for restoring the pollination service needs to be explored for sustainable production of economically important crops particularly for the benefit of the small and marginal farmers. The present study aimed to assess the extent of insect pollinator dependency of brinjal (eggplant) fruit production and impact of honey bee (Apis cerana F) box introduction on the production in vegetable farms of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. Through a pollinator exclusion experiment using enclosures it was found that brinjal fruit production reduces by 54.5 % when they are pollinator limited. This finding is in contrast with earlier report of 25 % dependency. The flower density in a pollinator limited environment was observed to increase by 31 %. This might be plant’s response to pollinator limitation where the plant invests more on reproductive structure than vegetative structures. However, this requires further exploration. Introduction of bee boxes in brinjal, pumpkin and pointed gourd farms showed significant increase in fruit production. This indicates both pollination limitation as well as the need for increasing the pollinators in the crop field for sustainable crop production.     

Pollination biology of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) with reference to insect floral visitors

Indian siris, Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) has significant importance to human beings for its multipurpose use. Insects play a crucial role in the pollination biology of flowering plants. In the current study, we studied the pollination biology of A. lebbeck with special reference to insect floral visitors. The effectiveness of floral visitors was investigated in term of visitation frequency, visitation rate and pollen load during 2012 and 2013. In the second experiment, effect of pollinators on yield of A. lebbeck was studied in open and cage pollination experiments. Floral visitor fauna of A. lebbeck included eight-bees, two wasps, two flies, and two butterflies species. Among them, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, Amegilla cingulata, and Nomia oxybeloides had maximum abundance ranging from 349–492, 339–428, 291–342 and 235–255 numbers of individuals, respectively during two flowering seasons. A. dorsata had the highest visitation frequency (6.44 ± 0.49–8.78 ± 0.48 visits/flower/5min) followed by Amegilla cingulata (6.03 ± 0.43–7.99 ± 0.33 visits/flower/5min) and A. florea (3.61 ± 0.31–4.44 ± 0.18 visits/flower/5min). A. dorsata, N. oxybeloides, and Amegilla cingulata had the highest visitation rates (18.904 ± 1.53–11.43 ± 1.17 flower visited/min) and pollen load (15333 ± 336.22–19243 ± 648.45 pollen grains). The open pollinated flowers had significantly higher capsule weight (4.97 ± 0.21 g), seed weight (1.04 ± 0.05 g), seed numbers per pod (9.80 ± 0.34) and seed germination percentage (84.0 ± 1.78%) as compared to caged flowers. The results suggested bees especially A. dorsata, N. oxybeloides and Amegilla cingulata could be effective pollinators of A. lebbeck.     

3-Methyl-1-butanol production in Escherichia coli: random mutagenesis and two-phase fermentation

Interest in producing biofuels from renewable sources has escalated due to energy and environmental concerns. Recently, the production of higher chain alcohols from 2-keto acid pathways has shown significant progress. In this paper, we demonstrate a mutagenesis approach in developing a strain of Escherichia coli for the production of 3-methyl-1-butanol by leveraging selective pressure toward l-leucine biosynthesis and screening for increased alcohol production. Random mutagenesis and selection with 4-aza-d,l-leucine, a structural analogue to l-leucine, resulted in the development of a new strain of E. coli able to produce 4.4 g/L of 3-methyl-1-butanol. Investigation of the host’s sensitivity to 3-methyl-1-butanol directed development of a two-phase fermentation process in which titers reached 9.5 g/L of 3-methyl-1-butanol with a yield of 0.11 g/g glucose after 60 h.     

瓢虫和草蛉对小麦挥发物组分的行为及电生理反应

利用触角电位（electroantennogram, EAG）和嗅觉测定技术,比较分析了4种捕食性天敌昆虫七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata、龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica、中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica和大草蛉Chrysopa septempunctata对麦蚜取食诱导小麦挥发物的行为和电生理反应,揭示了瓢虫及草蛉类天敌昆虫的嗅觉反应特点。4种捕食性天敌昆虫对麦蚜取食诱导挥发物都有较高的EAG反应值,七星瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫对6-甲基-5_庚烯-2-酮、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-醇的反应值较大;中华通草蛉和大草蛉对6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-醇和水杨酸甲酯的反应值较大,七星瓢虫对6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-醇的反应值最大,为0.96±0.18 mV;4种天敌昆虫对苯甲醛的EAG反应值较低,对反-2-己烯醛无反应。“Y”型管嗅觉测定结果表明,4种天敌昆虫对2-莰烯、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-醇和水杨酸甲酯具有正趋性。说明4种多食性的捕食性天敌昆虫对麦蚜取食诱导挥发物各组分的嗅觉与行为反应各具特点;寄主麦蚜生境中的嗅觉线索在这4种捕食性天敌昆虫的寄主定位和生境选择中起重要作用。     

Metabolic profiling and biological activities of the aerial parts of Micromeria imbricata Forssk. growing in Saudi Arabia

The hydroalcoholic extract (MIT) of Micromeria imbricata (Forssk.) growing in Saudi Arabia in addition to the chloroform (MIC) and n-butanol (MIB) fractions were investigated for the first time using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The analysis revealed the tentative identification of fifty-eight compounds including three organic acids, twenty-five phenolic compounds, three coumarins, two anthocyanins, twenty-one flavonoids, three terpenes, and one miscellaneous. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of M. imbricata (MIT) and its fractions (MIC and MIB) were determined by in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-obesity characteristics. The MIT extract showed the highest phenolic (125.23 ± 0.87 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 gm extract) and flavonoid (112.24 ± 2.45 mg quercetin equivalent/100 gm extract) contents followed by n-butanol and chloroform fractions. The MIT extract revealed a potent cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 (Hepatocellular carcinoma) and MCF-7 (Breast carcinoma) with IC₅₀ 28.5 ± 2.0 and 35.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the tested hydroalcoholic extract exhibited a significant DPPH scavenging activity with SC₅₀ 28.4 ± 1.2 µg/mL and a remarkable lipase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ 54.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL. In conclusion, the current study presents the first insights into the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties of M. imbricata extract and its chloroform and n-butanol fractions. The results revealed that M. imbricata hydroalcoholic extract might be a prolific source of bioactive constituents with potent antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-obesity potential. It might be a natural alternative therapy and nutritional strategy for obesity treatment.     

Bioactivity of essential oil of Litsea cubeba from China and its main compounds against two stored product insects

During our screening program for agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs and wild plants, the essential oil of Litsea cubeba fruits was found to possess strong contact toxicity against the cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne adults and the booklouse Liposcelis bostrychophila, with LD₅₀ values of 27.33 μg/adult and 71.56 μg/cm², respectively, and also showed strong fumigant toxicity against the two stored product insects with LC₅₀ values of 22.97 and 0.73 mg/L, respectively. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was investigated by GC MS. The main components of the essential oil were identified to be E-citral (geranial) (27.49%), Z-citral (neral) (23.57%) and d-limonene (18.82%) followed by β-thujene (3.34%), β-pinene (2.85%), α-pinene (2.57%), 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (2.40%) and linalool (2.36%). Citral (Z/E-citral), d-limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene and linalool were separated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography, and further identified by means of physicochemical and spectrometric analysis. Citral and linalool showed strong contact toxicity against L. serricorne and L. bostrychophila (LD₅₀ = 11.76, 12.74 μg/adult and 20.15, 99.97 μg/cm², respectively) and fumigant toxicity against L. serricorne and L. bostrychophila (16.54, 18.04 mg/L air and 0.14, 0.71 mg/L air, respectively). Otherwise, citral, d-limonene and linalool were strongly repellent against the cigarette beetle L. serricorne as the essential oil whereas β-pinene and α-pinene exhibited weaker repellency against the cigarette beetle compared with the positive control, DEET. Moreover, except α-pinene and linalool, the other three compounds as well as the essential oil exhibited comparable repellency against the booklouse relative to DEET.     

The value of insect pollination to yield of oilseed rape (Brassica rapa) in Bangladesh

Brassica rapa L., is a crop grown globally and studies have indicated that insect pollination can improve yields. However, the importance of insect pollination in this crop depends on cultivar reproductive biology, insect pollinator species and their abundances. In Bangladesh, the acreage of B. rapa for oilseed production has been expanding, but little is known about whether insects contribute to yield improvements. Using the commonly grown variety Tori-7, we found that plants with inflorescences left exposed to flower visiting insects (body width > 1.5 mm) had a 30.8% greater seed yield compared to those where insect flower visitors were excluded. Of 794 insect flower visiting individuals recorded from observation and trapping surveys conducted across four separate fields, Apis bees (four spp.) were the most abundant (66.1%), followed by flies Musca domestica (14.7%), Sepsis fulgens (6.3%) and hoverflies (3.0%; 3 spp; Syrphidae). Other flower visitors included ants, wasps, beetles, butterflies and moths. For the cultivar assessed, we calculated the economic value of oilseed rape was $US 87.5 million per annum in Bangladesh, of which the economic value of insect pollination was $US 26.92 million per annum. Thus, one in every four dollars earned by our Bangladeshi growers resulted from insect crop pollination. This demonstrates to growers the need to promote and protect insect pollination to optimize their economic returns.