Insect Pollinators Visiting Invasive Plant of Southernpart of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate insect pollinators visiting invasive plants of Southern part of Kathmandu valley. The search was conducted purposively in such area which consists of extent number of mixed flower by making a plot about 30/30m at a distance of 100m and moving along the transect line. Insect pollinator were collected through sweeping net method. Three plot was made at one site and insects were observed for 30 minutes. The study was carried out in both summer and autumn season. A total of 271 individual were observed from three orders and twelve families of pollinator was recorded in both season. Out of which Hymenoptera order was most dominant in both season followed by Lepidoptera and Diptera. In summer, Lantana camara was visited by the highest number of pollinators. While in autumn season Bidens pilosa was the most prevalent invasive plant, with Hymenoptera species as the most frequent visitors. The most visitor species include Apis cerana, Bombus spp., Amegilla spp., Parapolybia spp, and Syntomoides imaon, Polistes spp., Episyrphus spp., Eristalis spp., Eristalinus spp., Pieris canidia and various other butterflies. In both the season Diptera were less observed and the invasive plant Ipomoea carnea, Alternanthera philoxeroides and xanthium strumarium though less prevalent in the study area. The findings of this study provide valuable data for government agencies, academic institutions, and stakeholders, contributing to further research on insect pollinators and invasive plant species. Keywords: Insect Pollinators; Invasive Plants; Kathmandu Valley; Seasonal Variation; Hymenoptera Dominance