Abstract

                                A study was conducted to assess the diversity of pollinators indrumstick, Moringa oleifera Lam. orchardat Oddanchatram, Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. A total of 27 species of pollinators were recorded including 13 species of Hymenopterans, 7 species of Dipterans and Lepidopterans each. Apis cerana indica F. was the dominant pollinator followed by Amegillazonata L. and Apisdorsata F. Among the Dipterans, Episyrphus sp. was dominant followed by Sarcophaga sp. and Lucilia sp. Among the Lepidopterans, Oriensgoloides M. was found to be the maximum followed by Papiliopolytes L. and Danaus chrysippus L. Simpson’s D was the highest at 14.00 to 15.00 h. Simpson’s E ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 with maximum evenness at 06.00 to 07.00 h. Pollination Efficiency Index was found to be the highest in case of Xylocopa sp. followed by A.cerana indica F. and A. dorsata F. results indicated that A.cerena.indica F. was the most abundant pollinator but Xylocopa sp. was the most efficient pollinator in drumstick ecosystem.

Key words : Pollinators, Hymenopterans, Dipterans, Drumstick, Species diversity