Abstract
This study characterizes the assemblages of Hymenoptera that visit flowers of the genera Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberg, the Cape Group of Crotalarieae (sensu Polhill1981) (Papilionaceae) , and evaluates the potential of their members as pollinators. All the assemblages from the western and eastern Cape are characterized by the presence of Megachilinae (Megachilidae) and Xylocopinae and/or Anthophorinae (Anthophoridae), and those from the west (excluding Rafnia) by the presence of Masarinae (Vespidae). Although not restricted to Polhill's Cape Group, the Megachilinae and Xylocopinae are potential pollinators. Two species of Masarina Richards (Masarinae) are apparently restricted to Aspalathus, Lebeckia and Wiborgia, and are potential pollinators of the smaller-flowered species of these genera. Two species of Ceramius Latreille (Masarinae) are apparently restricted to Aspalathus and are potential pollinators and, within their distribution ranges, the most dependable visitors of this genus. Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Apidae) and Eumeninae (Vespidae) visit all four genera but are probably of little importance as pollinators. Apis mellifera is certainly able to obtain nectar from the smaller-flowered species without tripping the flowers. The implications of these findings for seed production in the rooibos tea industry are discussed.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Western and eastern Cape assemblages included Megachilinae and Xylocopinae and/or Anthophorinae.
- Taxon
- Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberge1
- Interactor
- Megachilinae (Megachilidae) and Xylocopinae and/or Anthophorinae (Anthophoridae)e0pollinator
- Outcome
- presencee0
- Setting
- western and eastern Capee0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“All the assemblages from the western and eastern Cape are characterized by the presence of Megachilinae (Megachilidae) and Xylocopinae and/or Anthophorinae (Anthophoridae)”
e1“flowers of the genera Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberg”
Claim · model-written summary
Western assemblages except Rafnia included Masarinae.
- Taxon
- Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberge1
- Outcome
- presencee0
- Setting
- weste0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“those from the west (excluding Rafnia) by the presence of Masarinae (Vespidae)”
e1“flowers of the genera Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberg”
Claim · model-written summary
Megachilinae and Xylocopinae are potential pollinators.
- Taxon
- Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberge1
- Interactor
- Megachilinae and XylocopinaeXylocopinaeMegachilinaee0pollinator
- Outcome
- potential pollinatorse0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“the Megachilinae and Xylocopinae are potential pollinators.”
e1“flowers of the genera Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberg”
Claim · model-written summary
Two Masarina species appear restricted to three genera and may pollinate smaller flowers.
- Taxon
- Aspalathus, Lebeckia and Wiborgia
.jpg?width=60)
Aspalathus_(32709919341).jpg?width=60)
Lebeckia
Wiborgiae0 - Interactor
- Masarina Richardse0pollinator
- Outcome
- potential pollinatorse0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
.jpg?width=500)
_(32709919341).jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“Two species of Masarina Richards (Masarinae) are apparently restricted to Aspalathus, Lebeckia and Wiborgia, and are potential pollinators of the smaller-flowered species of these genera.”
Claim · model-written summary
Two Ceramius species appear restricted to Aspalathus and are dependable potential pollinators within their ranges.
- Taxon
- AspalathusAspalathuse0
- Interactor
- Ceramius Latreillee0pollinator
- Outcome
- potential pollinatorse0
- Qualifier
- within their distribution rangese0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Two species of Ceramius Latreille (Masarinae) are apparently restricted to Aspalathus and are potential pollinators and, within their distribution ranges, the most dependable visitors of this genus.”
Claim · model-written summary
Apis mellifera and Eumeninae visit all four genera but likely contribute little to pollination.
- Taxon
- Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberge1
- Interactor
- Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Apidae) and Eumeninae (Vespidae)Vespidae
_Apis_mellifera_(female)_-_on_viburnum_tinus_flowers.jpg?width=60)
Apis melliferae0pollinator - Outcome
- little importance as pollinatorse0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_Apis_mellifera_(female)_-_on_viburnum_tinus_flowers.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Apidae) and Eumeninae (Vespidae) visit all four genera but are probably of little importance as pollinators.”
e1“flowers of the genera Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberg”
Claim · model-written summary
Apis mellifera can obtain nectar from smaller flowers without tripping them.
- Taxon
- Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberge1
- Interactor
- Apis melliferaApis melliferae0pollinator
- Outcome
- obtain nectar from the smaller-flowered species without tripping the flowerse0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Apis mellifera is certainly able to obtain nectar from the smaller-flowered species without tripping the flowers.”
e1“flowers of the genera Aspalathus Linnaeus, Lebeckia Thunberg, Wiborgia Thunberg and Rafnia Thunberg”