Honeybee pollination of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) cv. Manor

Abstract

The role of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the pollination of buckwheat cv. Manor was studied in a commercial planting at Smeaton, Victoria. Honeybees comprised 80% of all insect visitors to this crop. Other insects included ladybirds (Coccinella transversalis and C. undecimpunctata), hoverflies (Meangyna viridiceps), drone flies (Eristalis sp.), blowflies (Calliphoridae), cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae), small bush flies and native bees. The activity of honeybees and other insects increased seed production from 91.5 g/plot (plots closed to insects) to 180.4 g/plot (plots open to insects).