The Role of Butterflies as Pollinators of Acacia bidwillii Benth. (Mimosaceae) at Townsville, Northern Queensland

Abstract

Eleven species of butterfly from five families were collected from the flowers of A. bidwillii during November 1981 at Townsville. Most butterflies (c. 60-75%) from all families spent less than 30 s on blossoms, although some spent more than 2.5 min. Of 58 butterflies examined for pollen loads, 26 (44.8%) carried Acacia pollen. The number of polyads carried ranged from 1 to 10 with the majority being carried on the underside of the thorax and abdomen. Only two polyads were detected on the wings of a single Acraea andromacha andromacha (Fabricius) (Nymphalidae) and no butterflies carried pollen on the antennae. Considering the short periods generally spent in foraging and the low numbers of polyads carried by the butterflies in comparison with other insects collected from A. bidwillii, the butterflies are not regarded as important pollinators of the plant at Townsville.