Vestnik OrelGAU, 4(43), August 2013

UDC 633.853.483+638.19

SPECIES DIVERSITY OF INSECTS-POLLINATORS ON CROPS OF WHITE MUSTARD

Naumkin V.P., Doctor of Agricultural Sciences

Velkova N.I., Candidate of Agricultural Sciences
Orel State Agrarian University, Orel City, Russia
E-mail: v.p.naumkin@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The paper presents the results of years of research on the insect fauna on crops of white
mustard (Sinapis alba L.). The species composition of insect pollinators, their numerical ratio
and the daily dynamics of summer were investigated. Distribution of insect pollinators on
different varieties of white mustard was established. It is shown that in the Orel region in the
years of research 83 species of insect pollinators were registered on crops. They represent
10 different taxonomic groups. 57% of the total number of collected insects are hymenoptera.
Taxonomic groups of insects in plant stand of mustard differ in species composition and
number. Insects of different groups throughout the day are distributed extremely uneven.
This regularity in the temporal distribution of various groups of insects apparently takes place
due to their avoidance of competitive relations in the flowers of white mustard. Varieties that
have the greatest appeal to honey bees were marked.

KEY WORDS
White mustard; Varieties; Insects; Species composition; Pollination; Groups; Teams;
Flowers; Honey bees; Hymenoptera; Yield.

Pollination plays extremely important role in obtaining high and sustained yields of
mustard seeds. The right effect from it can be provided only targeted organization of
pollination with complex use of wild entomo fauna and honey bee.
In the course of investigation it is found out that honey bees provide the increase of its
seeds yield. It is stated that in the Ortel region conditions at observing all agrotechnical
methods mustard yield increase at insects pollination at wide row planting corresponds to
8,16 dt/ha in average with deviations by years from 7,95 dt/ha (2007 year) to 8,46 dt/ha
(2008 year), and at row planting - 6,39 dt/ha, varying from 5,72 dt/ha (2008 year to 7,12 dt/ha
(2006 year) [1].
Mustard needs in cross pollination and its flowers, secreting much nectar, are willingly
visited by insects including bees that do not leave them even in drizzling rain [2].
According to data obtained by A. N. Burmistrov [3], in different years 120-200 honey
bees and 40 wild insects species were counted on mustard plots of total area of 100 m² .
That corresponds to 70-80 % and 25-30 % correspondingly.

METHODS OF RESEARCH

The investigations were carried out in crop rotation of laboratory of genetics and
biotechnology of State Scientific Institution of All-Russian Research Institute of Horticultural
Crops Selection of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Science in 2000-2012. Insects on
the white mustard crop were registered in different periods of its blossom using standard
entomologic butterfly net. Recording of circadian dynamics of insects were done in every
three hours from 9 to 18 hours. 25 separate butterfly net flaps were taken as accounting unit.
There was 8-folds repeatability. 42 white mustard varieties of different white mustard
varieties of different ecologic and geographic groups obtained from world collection of All-
Union Research Institute of Plant Breeding named after N. I. Vavilov (St. Petersburg) were
used in the tests. The attendance of white mustard varieties by insects pollinators was
recorded acording to “Methodical directions on estimation of nectar bearing capacity of the
most important honey crops” [4].

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RESULTS OF RESEARCH

In total in white mustard agrocoenosis we registered 83 insects species from 10 different

systematic groups. 57% from total number of collected number of insects are hymenopterans:
honey bee (13,8%), wild bee (42,3%), bumblebee (table 1). The second place is occupied with
the group of Anthomyias (19,8%), then follow flower flies and ichneumons among which the
most numerous are syrphid flies. Lace flies and ladybirds acording to the degree of domination
differ inconsiderably. Bumlebees on mustard crops are met rather reare, and soldier beetles
and ground beetles in collections are sporadical (table 1).
During the day the changes in the white mustard flowers attendance are recorded. In
morning hours they are about 80 species on 25 butterfly net flaps, by 12 hours their number
increased to maximum - 136,8 species, and by 18 hours the number of pollinators decreased
to 24,5%.

Table 1  Cyrcadian dynamics of insects-pollinators fly on white mustard crops, Orel, 2000-2012
Insects number in different hours of a day, per 25 butterfly net
% of total
№ Insects groups flaps
number
900 1200 1500 1800
1 Wild bees (Apidae) 42,3 33,9 66,0 19,6 1,5
2 Anthomyias (Anthomyiidae) 19,8 16,2 32,1 2,5 6,0
3 Honey bees (Apis mellifera) 13,8 16,5 13,5 7,0 2,5
4 Flower flies (syrfids) (Syrphidae) 10,2 7,3 14,4 3,7 4,0
5 Ichneumons (Johneumonidae) 8,1 0 7,3 10,0 5,8
6 Golden-eyed flies (Chrysopidae) 2,5 3,1 2,3 0,6 1,2
7 Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) 2,4 1,2 1,2 1,0 3,5
8 Bumblebees (Bombys) 0,9 2,5 0 0 0
9 Soldier beetles (Cantharidae) 0 0 0 0 0
10 Ground beetles (Carabidae) 0 0 0 0 0
Total 100 % 80,7 136,8 44,4 24,5

Insects of different groups during the day are met extremely uneven. The great number
of honey bees, bumblebees and golden-eyed flies are recorded inthe morning hours. The
abundance of wild bees, flower flies and syrphid flies are recorded at 12 (midday). Soldier
beetles maximum in hey cuttings is recorded at 15 p.m., and ladybirds are recorded in the
evenings.
The stressed regularities in temporal distribution of insects belonging to different
groups apparently connected with avoiding between them competitive relations on the white
mustard flowers. Sytematic groups of insects in mustard haulm density are differ in species
composition and number (table 2).

Table 2  Coorelation of insects group in mustard haulm density, Orel, 2000-2012

group Number of species Species percentage (%) Number percentage (%)
1 2 3 4
1.Odonata (Dragonflies) 1 1,2 +
2. Ortoptera 4 4,8 +
3. Homoptera 2 2,4 +
4. Hemiptera (Bedbugs) 11 13,3 3
5. Coleoptera 22 26,5 57,2
6. Neuroptera 2 2,4 +
7. Mecoptera 1 1,2 0,8
8. Lepidoptera 5 6,0 +
9. Hymenoptera 19 22,9 26,3
10. Diptera 16 19,3 11,0
Total 83 100 100
+ singular exemplars

The most varied species are coleopterons because they eat different pats of mustard
plant. At the beginning of of vegetation of mustard plants are inhabited by over-wintered gold

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beetles.. Generally they are cruciferous flea beetles: rape, barley flea beetles, black
cruciferous, that can badly damage cruciferous plants. These species are complemented
with blue cereal leaf beetle. Damaging mostly gramineous plants it is met on mustard, but
unlike the cruciferous flea beetle the blue cereal leaf beetle can be few in numbers. The
second group of beetles is the species additionally palynivore. The first place among them is
occupied by ladybirds; the main food for them is plant lice. But in the blossom period of
mustard, rape, buckwheat they constantly visit these plants flowers and are fed with pollen. 7
pointed ladybird is the most widely spread among all other ladybirds.
Cantharis also can be referred to this group. The representatives of this family are
entomophage. The marked species types Caufharius can feed on different plants flowers, but
their damage because of little number can be insufficient. Cantharis are complemented with
flower chafers (Pefosia lugubris). Even pea weevel (Bruchus pissorum) are met on white
mustard flowers. Phytofagous beetles Аmаra (p. Аmаra) climb the plants to the flowers for
pollen.
High persentage of beetles are supported generally at the account of blossom beetle
(rapeseed beetle – Meligethes aeneus). Beetle crunches anthers and other parts of flowers
of cultivated and wild cruciferous. Its larva germinates in buds and can seriously damage,
decreasing seed production. Total percentage of coleopterans on mustard seedings is 58%
haulm stand insects.
19 species of hymenopterans are registered on mustard. The differential feature of this
insect group is that the largest part of it is pollinators. Mustard flowers attract wild bees which
number is more than honey bees in 2 times. They work on flowers for the longer time in
comparison with bees. Bumblebees are attracted by mustard less. 5 the most common
species are registered (table 3).
It is proved that the maximum number of insects-pollinators is registered on white
mustard crops in the morning hours and decreases with different intensity in the afternoon,
depending on insects group and weather and climatic conditions, but the flight doesn’ t stop
but it lasts by single exemplars of insects up to 21-22 hours.
The assessment of attendance of white mustard varieties by insects-pollinators showed
that the maximum number of single bees is met on 8 varieties: к-307 (Uzbekistan), к-4116
(Germany), к-4184 (France), к-4188 (Czechoslovakia), к-4198 (Sweden), к-4228п (Canada),
к-4186 (Portugal).
The maximum number of honey bees was registered on mustard crops in 2000 и 2002
years that is connected with the most favorable conditions during mustard blossom period.
More active honey bees visited 5 varieties к-2372 (Ukrain), к-4113 (Denmark), к-4189
(Czechoslovakia), к-4228п (Canada), к-4078 (Russia), and bumlebees - 7 varieties: к-2372
(Ukrain), к-4141 (Sweden), к-4200 (Canada), к-4207 (Canada), к-4213 (Belgium), к-4218
(Brazil), к-4228п (Canada).
The carried researches showed that different groups of insects-pollinators willingly
attent white mustard varieties, but mostly they prefer varaieties к-4116 (Germany), к-4184
(France), к-4188 (Czechoslovakia), к-4200 (Canada) и к-4228п (Canada).
Except common pollinators in the insect group entomophages and infestants were
marked. To the first group ants that attend flowers feeding with nectar are referred. Among
infestants rape sawfly is commonly met. This insects group is inferior twofold to coleopterans
in number.
16 species representatives of dipterans group are recorded on mustard. In the given
group also the main part is formed by insects attracted with flowers. Perhaps because of
small sizes they play less important role in pollination, than bees. But being a fodder plant
mustard attracts flies with flower nectar. According to species and number coorelation they
occupy the third place after beetles and hymenopteraus.
Syrfids (5) and stratiomyias (3 species) are dominating groups among dipterans. The
main representatives of the group are not numerous. Thus, inspite of the fact that many
dipterans find additional food on the plant flowers, comparatively there are no many of them
on mustard.

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Table 3  Species composition of insects pollinators in mustard haulm stand, Orel, 2000-2012*
Group Genus, species Occurence
1. Odonata (Dragonflies) 1. Lestes dryas +
1. Tettigonia viridissima +
2. Chorthippus apricarius +
2. Ortoptera
3. Ch. bigutulus +
4. Ch. brunneus +
1. Macrosteles laevis ++
3. Homoptera
2. Psammotettix striatus ++
1. Lygus pratensis +++
2. L. rugullipenis- tarnished plant bug +++
3. L. gemilatus ++
4. L. punctatus ++
5. Notostria erratica +
4. Hemiptera (Bedbugs) 6. Adelphocoris lineolatus +
7. Trigonotulus ruficornis +
8. Eurydema ventralis +
9. E. oleracea +
10. Dolycoris baccurum +
11. Nabis ferus ++
1. Cantharius fusca ++
2. C. pellucida ++
3. Petosia lugubris +
4. Adonia variegate ++
5. Propylaea quatuordecimpunctata ++
6. Hippodamia tredecimpunctata ++
7. Coccinella septempunctata +++
8. Coccinella quinguepunctata ++
9. Calvia quatuordecimguttata +
10. Galeruca pomonae +
11. G. tanaceti +
5. Coleoptera (Bugs)
12. Amara aenea +
13. A. similata +
14. Paederus fuscipes +
15. Meligethes aeneus ++++
16. Psylliodes chrysocephala ++++
17. Phyllotreta atra +++
18. Phyllotreta vittula +++
19. Lema lichenis ++
20. Bruchus pissorum +
21.Adalia decempun ctata L. ++
22. Phyllotreta nemorum L. ++++
1. Chrysopa carnea ++
6. Neuroptera
2. Ch. phyllochroma +
7. Mecoptera 1. Panorpa communis ++
1. Aglais urticae +
2. Pieris brassicae +
8. Lepidoptera 3. P. rapae +
4. Lycaena sp. +
5. Vanessa (inachis) io L. +
1. Apis mellifera ++++
2-3. Andrena sp1., sp2. ++++
4-5. Halictus sp1., sp2. ++++
6. Colletes sp. ++
7. Mellita sp. ++
8. Bombys terrestris +
9. B. hortorum +
10. B. agrorum +
9. Hymenoptera 11. B. lapidarius L. +
12. B. lucorum L. +
13. Jchneumon sp. +
14. Bracon sp. ++
15. Formica rufa ++
16. Lasius niger +++
17. Athalia colibri ++
18. Vespula vulgaris L. ++
19. Vespula rufa L. ++
1. Syrphus corollae ++
2. S. ribesii ++
3. S. grossularie ++
4. S. balteatus ++
5. Sphaerophoria scripta ++
6. Syritta pipiens ++
7. Eulalia viridula +
8. Eulalia gidrole +
10. Diptera
9. Eristalie nemorum ++
10. Pnorbia sp. +++
11. Delia sp +++
12. Lucilia sp +
13. Asilus germanica +
14. Opomyza florum F. ++
15. Chlorops pumilionis Bjerk ++
16. Tabanus bovinus L. ++

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*Table 3: ++++ - mass species; +++ - common; ++ - rare; + - single.

Bedbugs group (hemiptera) on mustard crops is represented with 11 species, that

corresponds to 3,3% from total number of insects. In contrast to enumerated above this
group does not differ in their peculiarities. One species (Nabis ferus) is entomophages and is
met on crops of many agricultural crops. Polyphitofages is the group of bedbugs Lygus
punctatus (p. Lygus). The rest of the species are met more often on separate crops, for
example: trigonotulus ruficornis, eurydema ventralis, dolycoris baccurum, adelphocoris
lineolatus.
The mentioned above insect groups are considerable part of species composition and
number in mustard haulm stand. The rest of them counts 1-4 species and few in numbers.
According to food specialization orthopterans and homopteransare are depredators.
Gragonflies, golden-eyed flies, scorpion flies are entomophages, butterflies are pollinators.

CONCLUSIONS

In agrocoenosis of white mustard 83 insect species from 10 different systematic groups

are registered in the Orel region conditions. From total amount of collected insects 57% are
hymenopterans: honey bee (13,8%), wild bees (42,3%), bumblebees. The second place
belongs to anthomyia (19,8 %), then syrphids and jchneumons follow, among them the most
numerous insects are syrphids. Golden-eyed flies and ladybirds differ inconsiderably
according to degree of domination. Bumblebees on mustard crops are met rather rare,
soldier beetles and ground beetles in collections are solitary
Honey bees willingly visit white mustard varieties but the greater preference is given to
five of them: к-4113 (Denmark), к-4228п (Canada), к-4189 (Czechoslovakia), к-2372
(Ukrain), к-4078 (Russia).

REFERENCES

1. Naumkin, V. P. White mustard cultivation in the conditions of central black zone (Sinapis
alba L.) / V. P. Naumkin, N. I. Velkova /monograph /- Orel: Publish. Orel State Agrarian
University - 2009.- 308 p.
2. Jakusheva, E. I. Mustard / E. I.. Jakusheva //Bee breading - №10, 1983.- P.17.
3. Burmistrov, A. N. The main features of methods development of feeding base of bee
breading / A. N. Burmistrov / Works of Scientific Research Institute of Bee Breading.- М.-
1967.- P.160-176.
4. «Methodical recommendations on assessment of nectar productivity of the main honeyed
crops».- Scientific Research Institute of Bee Breading, Ryubnoe.- 1984. -16 p.

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