Amegilla violacea (Lepeletier, 1841) (Anthophorini: Apidae) – A native bee, an effective pollinator of eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Abstract

Eggplant is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. Eggplant flowers have typical poricidal anthers which need a vibratory motion for effective pollination. This study was conducted to identify the major flower visitors and their effect on eggplant pollination/fruit set. Nine different species of bees visited eggplant flowers. The pollination efficiency index of the buzz pollinating bee, Amegilla violacea, was found to be the highest and was the most efficient pollinator of eggplant. The fruit set, fruit weight, and the number of seeds per fruit increased with an increase in the level of anther cone bruising and with a greater number of buzzes made by the native bee. Our study confirmed the distinct role of native sonicating bees and emphasizes the need to conserve the native bee fauna for enhancing fruit and seed set in eggplant.