Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
The Southwestern Entomologist
Volume
13
Issue
1
Publication Date
4-1-1988
First Page
47
Last Page
54
Abstract
Agapostemon angelicus Cockerell, a solitary ground nesting native bee species, provides a potential economic alternative to using honey bees, Allli mellifera L., for pollination of male-sterile cotton. The relative abundance and foraging behavior of A. angelicus was examined to determine its role in the production of hybrid cottonseed in the Texas High Plains. A. angelicus was the most abundant native bee species visiting cotton flowers, comprising over 30% of the floral visits. Significantly greater numbers of A. angelicus and other native bees were found foraging in cotton adjacent to alternate host plants as compared to foraging activity in cotton lacking a nearby alternate host reservoir. In hybrid cotton production blocks, A. angelicus spent a significant proportion of its foraging time (87.5% of all visits) on the pollen-bearing male-fertile lines and was most active during the morning (0900-1200 h CDT) hours.
Recommended Citation
Berger, Lori A.; Moffett, J. O.; and Rummel, D. R., "The Foraging Activity of Agapostemon Angelicus Cockerell Relative to Hybrid Cottonseed Production in Texas" (1988). Ba. Paper 112.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_ba/112