DIVERSITY, RELATIVE ABUNDANCE, AND FORAGING ACTIVITY OF INSECT POLLINATORS ON SESAME AT JODHPUR, INDIA

During the Kharif season of 2022 at the College of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Station, Jodhpur, a study was conducted to evaluate the diversity, relative abundance, and foraging behavior of insect pollinators on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Observations were recorded hourly from 06:00 to 18:00 h during the flowering stage, and five species were identified across two families and two orders, namely, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. Apis dorsata emerged as the dominant species, constituting 49.64% of the pollinator population, followed by Apis florea at 44.42%. Xylocopa pubescens was the least frequent, representing only 1.70%. A. dorsata exhibited peak foraging activity at 11:00AM, while A. florea peaked at 10:00 AM. X. pubescens and Xylocopa fenestrata initiated foraging at 9:00 AM, with peak activities at 12:00 noon and 10:00 AM, respectively. Papilio demoleus showed peak activity at 6:00 PM. The time spent per flower was highest for A. dorsata (7.12 s) and lowest for P. demoleus (0.09 s). Weather conditions significantly influenced pollinator abundance.. KEYWORDS :Diversity, Foragers, Pollinators, Sesame, Sesamum indicum