Potential pollinators of Fragaria ananassa (Rosales: Rosaceae) in the Perico valleys of Jujuy (Argentina)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify and estimate the potential pollinators of Fragaria ananassa Duch. “strawberry”, through the analysis of pollen carried out on their bodies. The study was carried out on a commercial farm in Las Pampitas, located in the Perico valleys, Jujuy province (Argentina). Floral visitors and other arthropods were sampled and identified, and their diversity was analyzed. The samples of insects selected to obtain the pollen carried were processed following the acetolysis technique. The potential pollinators of the strawberry crop were estimated by calculating the pollination probability index. The floral visitors corresponded to representatives of Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and even Araneae. Apis mellifera L. was the most frequent floral visitor and presented more strawberry pollen than other selected insects. The pollination probability index estimated that this species had a high probability of being a pollinator. Other pollinators such as Allograpta exotica Wiedemann, Halictidae, Meliponini and even Thripidae could complement the action of the honeybee. This is the first contribution to the knowledge of the pollination of F. ananassa in the agroecosystems of Jujuy.