On the estimation of the influence of the character of insect pollinators movements on the pollen transfer dynamics

Abstract

The pattern of pollinator movements determines the dynamics of the pollen transfer between zoophilic plants. The structure of plant populations depends on this aspect of the pollinator foraging behavior. A new method for the estimation of the rate of moving away from an object was used for a more precise determination of the distance at which pollinators transfer pollen. The method is based on the measuring of distances covered by pollinators per several flights. The highest rate was found in hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae). Butterflies (Pieris brassicae) play an insignificant role in long-distance pollen transfers due to their circular movements.