Predominance of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) among insects visiting flowers of Buchanania lanzan (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae)

• Main Authors: K. Moophayak, W. Meeinkuirt
• Other Authors: Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Agricultural and Biological Sciences
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/41572

© 2017, ALÖKI Kft. This study highlighted blow flies as new possible pollinators of Buchanania lanzan (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) flowers. Two sets of 2-day sampling were done by using a sweep net on the flowers of B. lanzan in a deciduous forested area of Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan Campus, Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand during 27-28 December 2013 and 13-14 December 2014. The number of flies (Diptera) collected was larger than the combined number of bees (Hymenoptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) by a factor of 9.4. Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were the most abundant insects caught (34.8% of total), and included the medically-important Chrysomya megacephala. Stomorhina discolor predominated (23.6% of total), followed by C. megacephala, C. rufifacies, C. nigripes and Rhyncomya flavibasis. Female flies predominated over males and were mostly collected in the morning. Many pollen grains were attached to the bodies of the flies, especially on the legs, thorax, and/or abdomen, indicating the likely importance of blow flies as pollinators of the blossoms of B. lanzan. These new findings could be useful for furthering conservation management and economic production of B. lanzan, and also for the use of B. lanzan flowers or the chemicals which they extrude as bait for controlling medically-important fly populations.