Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystems
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue: 2

Nectar robbing by Purple Sunbird, Nectarinia asiatica (L.) in Pomegranate reduces reproductive success

  • Author:
  • P. D. Kamala Jayanthi1, B. N. S. Murthy2, T. Nagaraja1, T. Raghava1, M. A. Ravindra1, Vivek Kempraj1, Hemant Byatroy2, Pallavi2, Abraham Verghese3, A. Krishnamoorthy1
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 214 to 218

1Division of Entomology and Nematology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake PO, Bengaluru-560089, Karnataka, India

2Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake PO, Bengaluru-560089, Karnataka, India

3ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal Farm Post, Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India

Online published on 15 May, 2017.

Abstract

A primary report of nectar robbing and deleterious damage by Purple sunbird on pomegranate flowers in India. Nectar robbing through external pecking at the base of flower was observed at significant heights (11.45%). This unusual foraging behavior sternly damaged the setting ovary with deep uneven peck holes (0.59 + 0.02 cm dia; 0.31+0.02 cm deep) resulting in drop off from plants and deformed fruits. Presence of sufficient nectar secretion in bisexual (16.33+1.94 μl) staminate (14.43+1.93 μl) flowers encouraged the nectar robbery. The higher foraging rates had profound negative effect on plant reproductive fitness affecting the fruit set and quality.

Keywords

Flower damage, nectar robber, Nectarinia asiatica, Punica granatum