TY - JOUR AU - Tepedino, V. J. AU - Bowlin, W. R. AU - Griswold, T. L. PY - 2011/06/21 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Diversity and pollination value of insects visiting the flowers of a rare buckwheat (Eriogonum pelinophilum: Polygonaceae) in disturbed and "natural" areas JF - Journal of Pollination Ecology JA - J Poll Ecol VL - 4 IS - SE - Articles DO - 10.26786/1920-7603(2011)9 UR - https://pollinationecology.org/index.php/jpe/article/view/109 SP - 57-67 AB - We compared flower-visitors of the endangered plant <em>Eriogonum pelinophilum,</em> at relatively undisturbed and highly disturbed sites. We found no difference between sites in flower visitation rate or species richness of flower-visitors; species diversity of flower-visitors was higher at disturbed than at undisturbed sites but there was no difference in equitability. We found significant differences in total <em>E. pelinophilum</em> pollen carried on the body among 14 abundant bee species; eight abundant wasp species; and 12 abundant fly species. Both bee and wasp species carried significantly more pollen on the ventral compared to dorsal segments of the body; pollen on the body of fly species was more equally distributed across body surfaces. Total pollen carried on flower-visitor bodies was significantly related to visitor length, suggesting that larger visitors were more effective pollinators. Total Pollination Value, a measure combining both visitor abundance and body pollen was greater at the disturbed site than the undisturbed site, further suggesting that pollination in fragments of this rare species is not a major concern. We conclude that the high diversity of insect flower-visitors and the generalized nature of <em>E. pelinophilum</em> flowers make a special management programme to conserve pollinators unnecessary. Conservation of this buckwheat is best achieved by simple habitat preservation, together with a program to enlist private citizens to include buckwheat plants in their backyard gardens. <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.pollinationecology.org/user-files/JPE11-006_Tepedino-AppendixA-D.doc"> download Appendix </a> ER -