Diversity and abundance of insect visitors on Apple ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.)

Pollinator presence significantly impacts the quality and yield of crops like ber that rely heavily on insects for their pollination. This study assessed pollinator diversity and abundance on apple ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) in Hisar, Haryana, India, over 2 consecutive years (2022–2023). A total of 25 insect species belonging to 5 orders: Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera were recorded visiting apple ber. Insect visitors were collected using a cone-shaped hand net and their relative abundance was determined by recording the number of individuals observed on a single, randomly selected branch over a 5 min period. Hymenoptera emerged as the most dominant order, contributing approximately 75–77 % of the total insect visitors. Bees (including family Apidae), wasps (Vespidae) and flies (families Calliphoridae, Musidae and Syrphidae) are recognised pollinators. The most abundant species was Apis florea, followed by A. mellifera and A. dorsata. The study provides a comprehensive account of apple ber pollinators under semi-arid conditions, highlighting the critical importance of conserving native pollinator diversity for sustainable fruit production and enhanced crop yields.