Flower visitation of Passiflora apetala, P. auriculata and P. holosericea (Passifloraceae) by Pepsis aquila (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Abstract

Pepsis aquila (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) is reported as an assiduous flower visitor and possible pollinator of Passiflora apetala, P. auriculata and P. holosericea in Costa Rica. The vertex and scutellum of P. aquila becomes abundantly covered with pollen while collecting the nectar from the cup nectaries of Passiflora. The Passiflora visited by P. aquila share some floral characteristics with previously reported plants pollinated by pompilids in Africa.

Keywords

• pollination, Pepsis, Passiflora spp