Bombus haemorrhoidalis Abundance in Comparison with other Insect Pollinators from Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan

Abstract

Bumblebees are important pollinators in both wild and managed cropping system and from the last few decades these bees are using as commercial pollinators to enhance the yield in greenhouse and glasshouse crops like tomato, cucumber and bell pepper. Indigenous bumblebee Bombus haemorrhoidalis, is an important pollinator of Northern Pakistan and plays key role in wild pollination. Present study was conducted to explore the relative abundance of B. haemorrhoidalis in comparison with other common insect pollinators. Monthly surveys were conducted from March, 2017 to February, 2018 to record the abundance of different pollinators. Hymenopteran pollinators were found as most abundant insect order with six species following by Lepidopteran pollinators with five species. B. haemorrhoidalis recorded with maximum abundance and Syrphus spp were recorded with second highest abundance. Maximum diversity of pollinators was observed at Banjosa and Paniola areas. Such ecological information about pollinators is important for possible conservation program in this region and it is also will be helpful in conservation program of Bumblebees in future