DIVERSITY OF INSECT POLLINATORS OF TAMARINDUS INDICA AND NEED FOR CONSERVATION OF WILD SPECIES

摘要

Tamarindus indica L. is a tree speeies of multiple utility. It is native of Tropical Africa and planted throughout the tropics. In Southern India, it is cultivated mainly for the fruit. T. indica is highly self-incompatible and essentially an outcrossed species. Though flowering is profuse in T. indica, the natural fruit setting ranges from 3 to 5 percent. The insects play very important role in effecting cross-pollination. Studies conducted at Coimbatore. on the insects involved in pollination of mis tree species have shown that, 59 species belonging to six orders viz. Hymenoplera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera. Diplera. Coleoptera and Thysanoplcra visit the flowers. An assessment of the pollen carrying ability of different species of insect visitors arepresented. It shows that, bees of families such as Anthophoridae, Apidae, Halictidac, Megachilidae and Xylocopidae are very efficient pollen vectors. Studies have also revealed that, wasps belonging to families. Eumcnidae and Vespidae arc also contributing substantially to pollen transfer. Among the flower visiting insects. Apis cerana indica is the only domesticated species found to involve in pollination and all others are wild species. The population of wild species of bees and wasps in cultivated areas are under tremendous pressure, due to habitat alteration and destruction as well as indiscriminate use of pcslicidcs. The need for selling apart refuge areas in and around the orchards, for maintaining pollinator diversity is highlighted.