Effect of Different Attractants on Abundance and Foraging Activity of Major Insect Pollinators of Cucumber

Spraying of Jaggery solution (10%) proved best in increasing the abundance of pollinators. Abundance (No./plant/ 5 min) of Eristalis arbustorum was found highest (23.27) due to Jaggery solution (10%) followed by Apis cerana (18.22), Apis mellifera (16.79), Lassioglossum marginatum (14.80) and Xylocopa vulga (10.64) after first, second and third spray. Foraging speed (time spent in seconds on flower) of pollinators was lowest due to Jaggery solution (10%). Lowest foraging speed was found in Apis cerana (6.24) due to Jaggery solution (10%) followed by Apis mellifera (8.16), Xylocopa vulga (9.90), Lassioglossum marginatum (17.98) and Eristalis arbustorum (34.04). Foraging rate of pollinators was highest due to Jaggery solution (10%) after third spray. Highest foraging rate was found in Apis.cerana (9.87) followed by Apis mellifera (7.52), Xylocopa vulga (6.11), Lassioglossum marginatum (3.35) and Eristalis arbustorum (1.92). Sugar syrup (10%), molasses (10%), sugarcane juice (10%) and fish waste were found as next best attractants.