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

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate insect pollinator on invasive Plants of Northern part of Kathmandu valley. The research was purposively carried out in areas with a diverse presence of mixed flowers and insect populations. A total of 10 plots, each measuring 30/30 meters, were established at intervals of 100 meters along transect lines, with a movement of 1/1 meter within each plot. The study was carried out in both the summer and autumn seasons. Insects were collected using sweeping net method, and were observed for at least 30 minutes in each plot. A total of 228 insect individuals, belonging to 201 genera across 12 families and 3 orders, were recorded. Among the insect order, Hymenoptera was the most abundant, followed by Lepidoptera and Diptera in both seasons. Apis cerana and Amegilla spp. were the most common species that visited Lantana camara within the Hymenoptera group in both seasons. The common pollinators were Apis cerana, Amegilla spp., Episyrphus spp., Parapolybia spp., Episyrphus spp., and Eupeodes spp. were the least observed among the Diptera that visited Bidens pilosa followed by Ipomoea carnea, Alternanthera philoxeroides which were abundant in the autumn season. The baseline data collected could help government agencies, academic institutions, and stakeholders to enhance research efforts and inform decision making. Keywords: Invasive plants, Insect Pollinators, seasonal variation, Northern Kathmandu valley; Nepal, Hymenoptera