Nocturnal pollinators strongly contribute to pollen transport of wild flowers in an agricultural landscape.

ABSTRACT: Dramatic declines in diurnal pollinators have created great scientific interest in plant-pollinator relationships and associated pollination services. Existing literature, however, is generally focused on diurnal pollinating insect taxa, especially on Apidae (Hymenoptera) and Syrphidae (Diptera) pollinators, while nocturnal macro-moths that comprise extremely species-rich flower-visiting families have been largely neglected. Here, we report that in agricultural landscapes, macro-moths can provide unique, highly complex pollen transport links, making them vital components of overall wild plant-pollinator networks in agro-ecosystems. Pollen transport occurred more frequently on the moths' ventral thorax rather than on their mouthparts that have been traditionally targeted for pollen swabbing

SUBMITTER: Walton RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7280044 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature