Vol. 8, Issue 11, Part L (2024)

Six different biorational based treatments were evaluated on the activity of major foraging honeybee pollinator fauna species in sunflower ecosystem during 2017-18 at ZARS, GKVK, Bengaluru. The bees viz., Apis dorsata, Apis mellifera and Apis cerana indica were the most frequent and abundant pollinators in sunflower. Among different biorationals evaluated, T₁ (Bt based), T₂ (Beauveria based), T₃ (HaNPV), T₄ (Azadiractin based) and T₅ (Spinosad based) treatments were found significantly increased mean number of pollinators. Similarly, T₆ (NSKE based) treatment did not show any deterrent effect on A. mellifera and A. cerana indica. A. dorsata and total pollinator fauna were shown reduced mean numbers per plant but recovered after 3^rd day after treatment imposition from repellent action of NSKE. Except T₆, all the other treatments were shown increased mean number of total major pollinators. Biorational based formulations were found least effect on pollinator diversity and visitation rate compared to synthetic insecticides in sunflower ecosystem. Deterrent effect of some biorationals like NSKE are to be avoided during peak activity of pollinators. The results indicate the biorational based treatments are the most valued option in pollinator crops like sunflower. Similarly, faster recovery of bees which has augmented pollination services and has a greater relevance in enhancing the yield in sunflower, whenever the insecticides with less repellent activity were used in the IPM programmes.