Publication | Open Access
The Role of Nitidulid Beetles in Natural Pollination of Annona in Israel1
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1982
Year
BiologyNatural PollinationTerrestrial ArthropodBotanyAbstract Four SpeciesNatural SciencesNitidulid BeetlesEntomologyEvolutionary BiologyPlant-insect InteractionInsect ConservationPest ManagementForest EntomologyAnnona PollenFamily Nitidulidae
Abstract Four species of beetles of the family Nitidulidae were the most common arthropod visitors to flowers of annona ( Annona sp.) in Israel throughout the flowering season and a significant relationship was demonstrated between these beetles and fruit-set. The beetles carry annona pollen on their dense cover of hairs. No difference in the efficiency of the 4 species was detected. The number of beetles per flower affected the fruit quality and shape.