A dead heat in pollination race: A comparative evaluation of the efficiency of a fly (Chrysomya megacephala) and a bee (Apis florea) in mango pollination

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an entomophilous crop and is attractive to an array of insects which forage on mango flowers for pollen, nectar or both. Hymenopterans (bees) and Dipterans (flies) constitute the major group among the different insects visiting mango blossom. Though the contribution of insect visitors as a whole in mango pollination is well established, the relative pollination efficiency of individual species remains unaddressed. We conducted studies to assess the pollination efficiency of two species viz., Apis florea (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae). It was evident from the results that there was a reduction of 41.93% in fruit set when inflorescence was completely excluded from insect visitation. Among different pollination modes, fruit set was highest (13.5 ± 6.5 / panicle) in open pollinated trees followed by fly pollination (11.3 ± 5.4) and bee pollination (10.09 ± 4.7). Our studies clearly showed that the Calliphorid fly, C. megacephala was as good as wild bee, A. florea in effecting mango pollination and enhancing fruit set. Besides the fruit set, fruit traits like length, width, weight and Total Soluble Solids (TSS) were not significantly different among trees pollinated by these two species. Hence, it is worthwhile to augment the populations of C. megacephala in mango orchards during flowering period to reap better yields as it is relatively easy and economical compared to honey bees.