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Synergistic interactions between an exotic honeybee and an exotic weed: pollination of Lantana camara in Australia

Synergistic interactions between an exotic honeybee and an exotic weed: pollination of Lantana camara in Australia
Synergistic interactions between an exotic honeybee and an exotic weed: pollination of Lantana camara in Australia
Lantana camara, a woody shrub originating in south and central America, is among the most widespread and troublesome exotic weeds of the old-world tropics. It invades pasture, crops and native ecosystems, causing substantial economic losses and environmental degradation. In Australia alone, L. camara is currently estimated to cover c. 40 000 km(2) . In glasshouse studies we demonstrate that L. camara requires cross-pollination to set fruit, and that honeybee visits result in effective pollination. Field studies carried out in Queensland, Australia, suggest that fruit set is limited by pollinator abundance, and that the main pollinator of L. camara throughout a substantial portion of its Australian range appears to be the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Seed set was strongly correlated with honeybee abundance, and at many sites, particularly in southern Queensland, honeybees were the only recorded flower visitors. Of 63 sites that were visited, seed set was highest at five sites where only honeybees were present. Hives are frequently stationed within and adjacent to areas such as National Parks that are threatened by this noxious weed. Management of honeybee populations may provide a powerful tool for cost-effective control of L. camara that has previously been overlooked. We suggest that there are probably many other weeds, both in Australia and elsewhere, that benefit from honeybee pollination.
Apis mellifera, fruit set, introduced bees, invasion, Lantana camara, Australia
0043-1737
195-202
Goulson, D.
edf7f1d7-7e58-40c3-88e8-81a43ca89efd
Derwent, L.C.
18515472-ccc0-4cf5-9b29-68ce0eae9f02
Goulson, D.
edf7f1d7-7e58-40c3-88e8-81a43ca89efd
Derwent, L.C.
18515472-ccc0-4cf5-9b29-68ce0eae9f02

Goulson, D. and Derwent, L.C. (2004) Synergistic interactions between an exotic honeybee and an exotic weed: pollination of Lantana camara in Australia. Weed Research, 44 (3), 195-202. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-3180.2004.00391.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Lantana camara, a woody shrub originating in south and central America, is among the most widespread and troublesome exotic weeds of the old-world tropics. It invades pasture, crops and native ecosystems, causing substantial economic losses and environmental degradation. In Australia alone, L. camara is currently estimated to cover c. 40 000 km(2) . In glasshouse studies we demonstrate that L. camara requires cross-pollination to set fruit, and that honeybee visits result in effective pollination. Field studies carried out in Queensland, Australia, suggest that fruit set is limited by pollinator abundance, and that the main pollinator of L. camara throughout a substantial portion of its Australian range appears to be the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Seed set was strongly correlated with honeybee abundance, and at many sites, particularly in southern Queensland, honeybees were the only recorded flower visitors. Of 63 sites that were visited, seed set was highest at five sites where only honeybees were present. Hives are frequently stationed within and adjacent to areas such as National Parks that are threatened by this noxious weed. Management of honeybee populations may provide a powerful tool for cost-effective control of L. camara that has previously been overlooked. We suggest that there are probably many other weeds, both in Australia and elsewhere, that benefit from honeybee pollination.

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More information

Submitted date: 3 July 2003
Published date: June 2004
Keywords: Apis mellifera, fruit set, introduced bees, invasion, Lantana camara, Australia

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 56937
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/56937
ISSN: 0043-1737
PURE UUID: 8a7d6d26-3be5-4b40-920f-3b05aad26218

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Date deposited: 11 Aug 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 11:04

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Contributors

Author: D. Goulson
Author: L.C. Derwent

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