Morphology and floral behavior of Nolana humifusa (Gouan) I.M. Johnston, as a resource in the diet of Apis mellifera L.

Prieto Lara Z.; Martos Tupes A.; Mostacero León J.; Salirrosas D.; Arqueros M.; Sánchez-Tuesta L. · Boletin Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromaticas (2025) · DOI: 10.37360/blacpma.25.24.6.65

Resumen

The objective of this study was to investigate the floral morphology and behavior of Nolana humifusa (Gouan) I.M. Johnston as a food source for Apis mellifera L. in Moche, Peru, between January and February 2025. The flowers were morphologically described, and the opening and closing times of the flowers, number of open flowers per plant, number of foraging bees, bee visit duration, and pollen characteristics were evaluated. Anthesis began at approximately 9:30 a.m. and lasted until 3:00 p.m. In an area of 900 cm2, an average of 5.5 foraging bees per minute was recorded, with a visit duration of 3.4 s per open flower and corbicular pollen pellet weight of 4.22 mg. The pollen grains exhibited varied shapes (triangular-rounded or prolate-spheroidal) and tricolporate or bicolporate structures. These characteristics highlight the potential of N. humifusa as a pollen source for bees.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina