Foraging activity of Lipotriches sp. (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) and its Impact on fruit and seed yields of Glycine max L. variety sj 235 (Fabaceae) in Dang (Ngaoundere, Cameroon)

Abstract

At Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon), from the 12th through 24th July 2023, Glycine max flowers were observed for the study of Lipotriches sp.activity and the evaluation of its impact on fruit and seed yields of this plant species. The results showed that among seven insects species recorded on Glycine maxflowers, Lipotriches sp.ranked second with 20.09% of visits. Lipotriches sp.forages on G. max flowers from 9 am to 4 pm, with a peak of activity situated between 11 and 12 am. On flowers, foragers of Lipotriches sp. intensely harvested nectar. The highest mean number of Lipotriches sp.simultaneously in activity was 31.09 per 1000 flowers. The mean duration of a visit per flower was 6.97 sec. The mean foraging speed was 9.34 flowers per minute. By comparing the yields of unatented flowers to the protected flowers, an increasement of the fruiting rate by 33.19%, the number of seeds per pod by 6.79% and the percentage of normal seeds by 14.00% due to pollinating insects. Through its pollination efficiency, this Halictideae has significantly increased the fruiting rate by 38.59%, the number of seeds per pod by 26.32% and the percentage of normal seeds by 16.85%. The installation of Lipotriches sp.nests close to G. max field could be recommended to improve its pods and seeds production.