Behavior of potential insect pollinators visiting Moringa oleifera flowers

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Résumé

The influence of potential insect pollinators is decisive in the fruiting process of many cross-pollinated plants. The aim
of this study was to determine the behaviour of potential pollinating insects visiting Moringa oleifera flowers. Collections were carried out from July to September 2018 and 2019, followed by monitoring of the behavior of potential insect
pollinators from July to September 2020 in the Sahelian, North Sudanian and South Sudanian zones. The methodology
consisted the use of a Fauchoir net for the exhaustive collection of insects visiting Moringa oleifera flowers. The results
revealed that a total of 50 species of pollinating insects, belonging to 25 families and three orders (Hymenoptera, Diptera,
and Lepidoptera), were identified based on the presence of pollen-carrying hairs on the insect’s body. Among these, nine
insect species collect both nectar and pollen. These are: Xylocopa violacea (L.), Xylocopa pubescens (S.), Anthophora
plumipes (P.), Apis mellifera (L.), Pollenia rudis (F.), Alophora hemiptera (F.), Syrphus ribesii (L.), Danaus chrysippus
(L.) and Pieris rapae (L.). The times of day when pollinating insects appear on Moringa flowers vary from species to species. The abundance of these pollinators and the duration of their presence on the flowers vary according to geographical
area and pollinator species. Hymenoptera are the dominant pollinators in Moringa plantations.

Mots-clés

Insect pollinators, Flowers, Floral resources, Behavior, Climatic zones , Moringa oleifera