The effective hawkmoth pollination of Lagenaria siceraria (Cucurbitaceae) beyond Africa

Floral traits can influence sex reproduction and population persistence in non-native areas like in crop systems. Lagenaria siceraia, native to Africa and cultivated globally for its economic and cultural significance, attracts diverse floral visitors. Through analyses of floral biology, reproductive traits, nectar dynamics, and pollinator records, this study aimed to characterize the pollination ecology of this species in a crop field in Southern Brazil. Nectar is produced only by staminate flowers and is available throughout anthesis. The main floral visitors included hawkmoths, bees, and hummingbirds. Of the total visits, 43% occurred at night by three sphingid species. We recorded a higher visitor preference for staminate flowers, and this result indicates that unrewarding pistillate flowers mimic rewarding staminate flowers. Despite the abundance of diurnal flower visits, fruits could be produced only from nocturnal visits, corroborating the role of hawkmoths in pollination of L. siceraria. However, significant pollen limitation was observed in the studied population. The species maintains a specialized pollination niche in cultivated areas outside its natural range.