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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Insect foraging and pollination activity on the flowers of Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae) in the Vina (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)
Authors
Christian Wékéré, Carine Ndobadé Népidé, Moussa Mohamadou, Mireille Bernice Tekombo Kingha, Sanda Mazi
Abstract
To assess the impact of anthophilous insects
on the pod and seed production of Abelmoschus esculentus, the foraging
and pollination activity of these arthropods was studied on flowers from July
15 to 20, 2023 in Dang. The investigations focused on two treatments, each
containing 240 flowers, differentiated by the presence or absence of insect
protection. Insect foraging behavior, pollination activity, fruit set, number
of seeds per pod, number of normal seeds, pod size, and pod weight were
evaluated. The results show that Hymenoptera constitutes the most represented
order, accounting for 76.24% of visits (Apidae 35.3%; Halictidae 40.31%;
Vespidae 0.63%), followed by Lepidoptera (10.34%) and Coleoptera (3.37%). The
insects visited the flowers of this plant throughout the day to collect nectar
and pollen, with a peak of activity between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Comparing the
yields of flowers left to be pollinated freely with those of flowers protected
from insects, a significant increase in the fruiting rate (15.25%), the average
number of seeds per pod (14.52%), the percentage of normal seeds (2.56%), the
average pod size (11.85%), and the average pod weight (25.34%) was observed,
all attributed to flower visiting insects. To improve the production of Abelmoschus
esculentus, it is advisable to protect its flower-visiting insects during
the flowering of this Malvaceae.
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Pages:228-237
How to cite this article:
Christian Wékéré, Carine Ndobadé Népidé, Moussa Mohamadou, Mireille Bernice Tekombo Kingha, Sanda Mazi "Insect foraging and pollination activity on the flowers of <i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> (Malvaceae) in the Vina (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 228-237
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