POLLINATION EFFECTIVENESS OF APIS CERANA FABRICUS AND APIS MELLIFERA LINNAEUS (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) IN JATROPHA CURCAS L. (EUPHORBIACEAE)

Abstract

 Pollinators are well known to provide key ecosystem. Animal pollinators are thought to contribute between 15 and 30% of global food production and bees are recognized to be the most important taxon. The pollination effectiveness of two species of bees, Apis cerana and A. mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) was studied. Three cages, made of insect screen were set up. Each cage contains three individual plants. One colony of A. mellifera and A. cerana were placed in the first and second cage, while the third cage was used for control plants. Bee colonies were placed during one month in the first and second cages.  Fruit set of plants pollinated by A. mellifera, A. cerana, control plants, and open plants were counted and compared. Pollination by honeybees increased the number of fruits per plant and fruits per raceme of J. curcas. Based on measuring of fruit produced by plants, pollination effectiveness of A. mellifera was higher than A. carana.  Key words: Pollination, effectiveness, Apis cerana, A. mellifera, seed set, Jatropha curcas.