Plant Ecology and Evolution 149(3): 316-318, doi: 10.5091/plecevo.2016.1232
Observations of insect visitors to Price’s Potato Bean (Apios priceana, Fabaceae) in North Alabama, USA
Joshua Campbell, Brittany E. Campbell, Chase B. Kimmel, Paula Galvan© Botanic Garden Meise and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium. all rights reserved Citation:
Campbell J, Campbell BE, Kimmel CB, Galvan P (2016) Observations of insect visitors to Price’s Potato Bean (Apios priceana, Fabaceae) in North Alabama, USA. Plant Ecology and Evolution 149(3): 316-318. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2016.1232 |  |
Abstract
Background and aims – Apios priceana is a rare flowering plant that can only be found in parts of the Southeastern United States. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this plant and only a few insect flower visitors have been previously documented. The aim of this study was to further document the insect flower visitors of A. priceana in North Alabama.
Methods – Cameras and observers recorded flower visitors during the 2014 blooming season of a large North Alabama population of A. priceana.
Key results – Although fifteen different species of insects were documented on flowers of A. priceana, most performed a single or very few visits. Bumble bees ( Bombus spp.), two species of Megachilidae ( Megachile sculpturalis and Megachile campanulae ), and the hummingbird clearwing ( Hemaris thysbe ) were the most common visitors. Interestingly, the giant resin bee, M. sculpturalis, is considered to be an invasive species but in this case may be pollinating a native and Federally threatened plant.
Conclusion – Although A. priceana flowers are visited by numerous insects, Bombus spp. and, surprisingly, an invasive species ( Megachile sculpturalis ) are probably the most important pollinators of this plant.
Methods – Cameras and observers recorded flower visitors during the 2014 blooming season of a large North Alabama population of A. priceana.
Key results – Although fifteen different species of insects were documented on flowers of A. priceana, most performed a single or very few visits. Bumble bees ( Bombus spp.), two species of Megachilidae ( Megachile sculpturalis and Megachile campanulae ), and the hummingbird clearwing ( Hemaris thysbe ) were the most common visitors. Interestingly, the giant resin bee, M. sculpturalis, is considered to be an invasive species but in this case may be pollinating a native and Federally threatened plant.
Conclusion – Although A. priceana flowers are visited by numerous insects, Bombus spp. and, surprisingly, an invasive species ( Megachile sculpturalis ) are probably the most important pollinators of this plant.
Keywords
POLLINATORS; ALABAMA; APIOS PRICEANA; BOMBUS; MEGACHILE SCULPTURALIS