Pollination Effectiveness of Apis cerana Fabricus and Trigona laeviceps Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Fragaria x annanassa Ealibrite Cultivar

Abstract

Strawberries (Fragaria x annanassa) is herbaceous perennial plant. Pollination of the plant is conducted by wind and insects, especially bees. The purpose of the research were to study pollination effectiveness of Apis cerana Fabricus and Trigona laeviceps Smith in Fragaria x annanassa Ealibrite Cultivar. Effectiveness of pollination of the bees were measured by visiting behavior and fruit set. Visiting behavior of bees were observed based on foraging rate, flower handling time, and total foraging time. Fruit set were measured based on number of normal fruit, number of abnormal fruit, size and weight of the fruits, and vitamin C content. Environmental factors, such as air temperature, humidity, velocity of wind, and light intensity were measured. Peak of foraging activity of A. cerana occurred in the morning, while T. laeviceps occurred in the noon. Foraging rate of A. cerana was 2.8 flowers/minutes, flower handling time was 12.64 seconds, and total foraging time was 14.46 minutes. Whereas, foraging rate of T. laeviceps was 3.23 flowers/minutes, flower handling time was 5.60 seconds, and total foraging time was 7.73 minutes. Pollination of A. cerana and T. laeviceps increase normal fruit, decrease abnormal fruit, increase size and weight of fruits, and vitamin C content.