Cuticular Hydrocarbon Composition Analysis for Taxonomic Differentiation of Phlebotomine Sandfly Species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Publication Date

9-9-2008

Abstract

Foraging range, an important component of bee ecology, is of considerable interest for insect-pollinated plants because it determines the potential for outcrossing among individuals. However, long-distance pollen flow is difficult to assess, especially when the plant also relies on self-pollination. Pollen movement can be estimated indirectly through population genetic data, but complementary data on pollinator flight distances is necessary to validate such estimates. By using radio-tracking of cowpea pollinator return flights, we found that carpenter bees visiting cowpea flowers can forage up to 6 km from their nest. Foraging distances were found to be shorter than the maximum flight range, especially under adverse weather conditions or poor reward levels. From complete flight records in which bees visited wild and domesticated populations, we conclude that bees can mediate gene flow and, in some instances, allow transgene (genetically engineered material) escape over several kilometers. However, most between-flower flights occur within plant patches, while very few occur between plant patches. © 2008 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.

Keywords

Cowpea, Radio-tracking, Vigna unguiculata, Xylocopa flavorufa

PubMed ID

18768793

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