Research Article

Insect Pollinator Fauna of Apricot from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Hina Maryam1, Muhammad Ather Rafi2, Ahmed Zia1, Ghulam Rasul3, Muhammad Kamal Sheikh3*, Muhammad Qasim4 and Gulnaz Parveen5

1National Insect Museum, National Agriculture Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan; 2University of Swabi, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 3Planning and Development Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan; 4Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan; 5Department of Botany, Women University, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Received | January 25, 2019; Accepted | April 20, 2019; Published | April 17, 2020

*Correspondence | Muhammad Kamal Sheikh, Planning and Development Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Maryam, H., M.A. Rafi, A. Zia, G. Rasul, M.K. Sheikh, M. Qasim and G. Parveen. 2020. Insect pollinator fauna of apricot from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 33(2): 202-211.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2020/33.2.202.211

Keywords | Insect Pollinator, Apricot, Pollination, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Introduction

Flowering plants depend wholly or partially on pollination for sexual reproduction (Klein et al., 2007). Over three quarters of the world’s crops and more than 80 percent of all flowering plants are dependent on pollination (Kenmore and Krell, 1998). Majority of plants from which human beings benefit depend on arthropods as pollinators. Among arthropods, insects are important pollinator of crops worldwide. Without arthropods as pollinators, many plants could not set seed and reproduce fruits and without visit to plants, many arthropods population could crash (Ollerton, 1999). Recently the production value of pollinated crops in Pakistan was enumerated as 1.59 billion US$ with major share of fruits with 0.98 billion US$ (Irshad et al., 2014).

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is an imperative fruit crop of the Rosaceae family. During last two decades, apricot production has increased more than 85%, mostly due to the increase in planting area in Algeria Egypt, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan (Bendif et al., 2017). In Pakistan, apricot is grown in Balochistan, Parachinar, Hangu, Chitral, Swat, Hazara Abbottabad, Murree, Northern Kashmir and Diamer, Gilgit, Ghanche, Ghizer, and Skardu districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Along other deciduous fruits, apricot is primarily produced as cash crop in Gilgit- Baltistan, where apricot

undoubtedly is single largest livelihood source. Most apricot cultivars in Gilgit-Baltistan blossom in early March and blossoming time is about fortnight and may be prolonged or shortened as a consequence of commonly prevailing stormy cold winter in the area due to extremely high mountains (Jasra and Rafi, 2003). Considerable variation is also seen in different cultivars in their blossoming time as well. Hence, all these factors effect pollination period which normally results in poor fruit set. A good synchronization between the activity period of the candidate pollinator and the flowering of the crop is very important. For fruit trees, with short seasonal flowering periods, univoltine pollinators with relatively short nesting periods are desirable, as they eliminate the need to provide alternative floral resources once the crop has been pollinated (Parker et al., 1987). Furthermore, farming community of the area is mostly unaware of the value of pollination for their fruits and vegetables and destroying pollinator population by demolishing their habitats and through excessive use of pesticides.

This study was designed to know biodiversity of insect pollinators from the apricot orchards in the area and dissemination of knowledge for farming communities as well as for general public regarding insect pollinators and their importance. Stanger et al. (1973) reported that some varieties of apricot were unable to produce large crop without cross-pollination. While some varieties had to be cross pollinated and others

Table 1: Order, genera, family and species wise occurrence status.

Order	Family	Genus	Species	Occurrence
1.Diptera	Syrphidae	Eristalis Latreille, 1804	Eristalis tenax Linnaeus, 1758 Eristalis arbustorum Linnaeus, 1758	Previous 1st – GB
		Ischiodon Sack, 1913	Ischiodon scutellaris, Fabricius, 1805	1st – GB
		Scaeva Fabricius, 1805	Scaeva selenitica Meigen, 1822	1st – Pak (GB)
2. Hymenoptera	Apidae	Apis Linnaeus, 1767	Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758	Previous
		Bombus Latreille, 1802	Bombus asiaticus Morawitz, 1875	Previous
		Ceratina Latreille, 1805	Ceratina viridissima, Dalla Torre, 1896	1st – GB
		Xylocopa Latreille, 1802	Xylocopa collaris, Lepeletier, 1841 Xylocopa acutipennis Smith, 1854 Xylocopa dissimilis Lepeletier, 1841	1st GB 1st – Pak Previous
	Halictidae	Lassioglossum Curtis, 1833	Lassioglossum cerambyx Ebmer 1980	1st - GB
	Megachilidae	Osmia Panzer, 1806	Osmia cornifrons 1887	Previous
		Nomia Latreille, 1805	Nomia westwoodi	1st – GB
	Vespidae	Vespa Linnaeus, 1758	Vespa velutina, Lepeletier 1836	Previous
		Vespula Thomson, 1869	Vespula flaviceps Smith, 1870 Vespula germanica Fabricius 1973	1st – GB Previous
3. Lepidoptera	Nymphalidae	Vanessa Fabricius	Vanessa cardui Linnaeus, 1758	1st - GB
	Papilionidae	Papilio Linnaeus	Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758	Previous
(03)	(07)	(14)	(18)	(08 GB) (02 PK) (08 Previous)

GB: Gilgit Baltistan; PK: Pakistan, Previous: Previously recorded; Pak: Pakistan.

get benefit by cross-pollination (McGregor, 1976; Ahmad et al., 1986). Szabo et al. (1999) reported that fruit set and ripening period is improved by cross-pollination. Pollination compatibility is an important factor affecting fruit set (Austin et al, 1996; McLaren and Fraser 1996; McLaren et al., 1996). According to Cruden (1972) altitudinal gradient affects the pollinators’ activities, however, bees are most efficient at middle altitude.

Materials and Methods

Collection surveys were carried out during two consecutive years 2010 to 2011 in districts Gilgit, Ghizer, Hunza-Nagar and Skardu of Gilgit-Baltistan (Figure 1) to collect insect pollinators visiting apricot blossoms during early March. Random collection was done with the help of areal insect net, which can easily approach to the flowers. Identification of collected fauna was carried out with the help of microscope (Labomed CZM4-4X) up to the possible taxonomic rank by running them through available literature and by comparing through reference collection at National Insect Museum (NIM), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Islamabad.

Results and Discussion

During study a total 18 species of 14 genera under seven families of orders Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were identified (Table 1, 2) as per following details.

Order diptera

Family syrphidae : Genus eristalis latreille, 1804 : Eristalis tenax linnaeus, 1758; Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Sikandar Abad, 1♂, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Earlier this species was reported by Shahzad et al., (2017) from Hunza, Astore, Gorikot, Sakardu and Murree. However, Arif (2001) reported this species from Faisalabad. Saleem et al. (2001) from Peshawar and Sajjad et al. (2010) from Multan; Distribution: Cosmopolitan except Antarctica and highest latitudes in the North (Metcalf, 1913), United States (Milne and Milne, 1980), India, Ceylon, Malaya Peninsula, Japan, China and Australia (Brunetti, 1923).

Eristalis arbustorum linnaeus, 1758: Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Sikandar Abad, 1♂, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: First time recorded for Gilgit-Baltistan. This species was earlier reported by Brunetti (1923) from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and by Arif (2001) from Hazara, Mansehra and Abbotabad; Distribution: North Persia, Siberia, North Africa (Brunetti, 1923), Canada and United States (Anonymous, 2007).

Table 2: Area wise distribution of species showing coordinates and remarks for localities in various districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Localities		Species	Lat.'	Long.'	Altit. M	Remarks
Gilgit
Gilgit	Hymenoptera Apis mellifera Bombus asciaticus Xylocopa collaris Osmia cornifrons Lepidoptera Papilio demoleus		35-55	74-17	1473	A proper orchard along with other fruit trees i.e. cherry, apple, peach. Berseem was also cultivated.
Jalal Abad	Hymenoptera Apis mellifera Lassioglossum cerambyx, Osmia cornifrons		35-54	74-23	1501	A complete orchard of apricot in a large area of Agriculture department
Muhammad Abad	Hymenoptera Xylocopa collaris		35-55	74-14	1473	Scattered trees along with Vegetables in a residential area.
Ushkhandas	Hymenoptera Xylocopa collaris		35-54	74-23	1501	Residential area
Ghizer
Gulapur	Hymenoptera Bombus asciaticus Lassioglossum cerambyx. Xylocopa collaris X. dissimilis		36-10	73-35	1801	A large number of apricot trees along with almond trees scattered over hilly area along the river bank.
Gitch	Hymenoptera Bombus asciaticus Vespa velutina Xylocopa collaris X. dissimilis		36-10	73-35	1801	A large number of apricot trees scattered over hilly area along the river bank.
Gahkuch	Hymenoptera Bombus asciaticus Osmia cornifrons. Vespula flaviceps Vespula germanica Xylocopa collaris		36-11	73-46	1850	A huge hilly area covered with large number of fruit trees. Heavy flowering with cool and windy weather.
Sher Qila	Hymenoptera Ceratina viridissima Xylocopa collaris X.dissimilis Lepidoptera Vanessa cardui		36-13	73-38	1801	Proper orchards with other fruit trees in a residential area. Trees were very old.
Hunza-Nagar
Hunza	Hymenoptera Bombus asciaticus Osmia cornifrons		36-17	74-36	2323	Scattered trees in hilly area as well in residential area, weather was really cold.
Chalt	Hymenoptera Bombus asciaticus Lassioglossum sp. Osmia cornifrons Xylocopa acutipennis		36-07	74014	2100	High fluctuation in weatherand topography of same area.Trees were cultivated in living houses and potato fields but potato were not flourishing, at high altitude to river
Minapin	Hymenoptera N. westwoodi.		36-23	74-36	2300	Big orchards, with heavy flowering, with other pome fruits.
Sikandar Abad	Diptera Eristalis. Arbustorum E. tenax Ischiodon scutellaris Scaeva selenitica		35-17	74-14	1960	Hilly area, rough area.
Skardu
Skardu	Hymenoptera Osmia cornifrons		35-17	74-14	2279	Main city area along with other fruit trees.
Hussain Abad	Hymenoptera Osmia cornifrons		35-25	75-24	2202	Proper orchards with cool weather.
Shigar	Hymenoptera Osmia cornifrons.		35-25	75-24	2279	Large sized orchard.

 

Genus ischiodon sack, 1913: Ischiodon scutellaris, fabricius, 1805: Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Sikandar Abad, 1♂, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: First time reported in Gilgit-Baltistan, however, earlier reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Balakot, Butkhela, Chakdara, Dir, Malakand, Peshawar, Swat; Islamabad; Punjab: Ghora gali, Multan, Mungawal, Khanewal, Murree (Alam et al., 1969; Sajjad and Saeed, 2010; Sajjad et al., 2010; Ali et al., 2013; Shazad et al., 2017); Distribution: India, Northern Africa (Brunetti, 1923).

Genus scaeva fabricius, 1805: Scaeva selenitica meigen, 1822: Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Sikandar Abad, 1♂, 2 ♀, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: This species is reported first time from Pakistan; Distribution: Siberia, Europe (Dusek and Laska, 1985).

Order hymenoptera

Family apidae : Genus apis linnaeus, 1767 : Apis mellifera linnaeus, 1758 : Material examined: Gilgit: Jalal Abad, 3♀, 18-iii-10, leg. Hina; Gilgit, 2♀, 22-iii-11, leg. Hina; Hunza-Nagar: Chalt, 1♀, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: European origin species introduced in Pakistan. It was reported from Pakistan as a principal pollinator on cucumber (Sarwar et al., 2008), Sarson (Perveen et al., 2000), canola and black seed (Munawar et al., 2009); Distribution: Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Arctic Circle (Cocker, 2003). 

Genus bombus latreille, 1802: Bombus asiaticus morawitz, 1875 : Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Hunza, 1♀, 29-iii-10; leg. Hina; Ghizer: Gahkuch, 1♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Gulapur, 2♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Gitch, 1♂, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Chalt, 2♂, 5♀, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Skardu: Shigar, 4♀, 10-iv-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Earlier reported from Gilgit-Baltistan by Suhail et al. (2009). (Irshad et al., 2014) reported from Gilgit-Baltistan: Doarian, Darkot, Gilgit, Naltar, Hunza, Samgam, Pir Panjal and Sermik. It is well distributed species in Gilgit-Baltistan; Distribution: Hindu Kush (Reinig, 1940), Kashmir, Himalaya and Pir Panjal (Williams, 1991), Nepal, Mongolia, western and southwestern China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Tajikstan, India (Gupta, 2010).

Genus ceratina latreille, 1805: Ceratina viridissima, dalla torre, 1896: Material examined: Ghizer: Sher Qila, 1♀, 22-iii-10, leg. Hina; Remarks: Earlier reported on alfalfa from Punjab (Ahmad, 1976); Peshawar (Bibi, 1984). However, previously reported on sunflower (Rahoo et al., 1985) and on mango inflorescence from Tandojam (Rehman et al., 1990). First time recorded from Gilgit-Baltistan; Distribution: India, China (Bingham, 1897), Sri Lanka (Wijesekara, 2001).

Genus xylocopa latreille, 1802: Xylocopa collaris, lepeletier, 1841 : Material examined: Gilgit: Ushkhandas, 1♀, 18-iii-10, leg. Hina; Muhammad Abad, 1♀, 20-iii-10, leg. Hina; Ghizer: Sher Qila, 1♂, 1♀, 22-iii-10, leg. Hina; Gitch, 1♂, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Gulapur, 1♂, 1♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Earlier reported from Baluchistan: Naushki and Sind: Karachi (Huda, 1975) from Peshawar (Bibi, 1984). This species was also reported from Sind on sunflower (Rahoo et al., 1985) and on cotton from Tandojam (Dhuyo et al., 1986). During this study this species was collected from apricot blossom from different localities of Gilgit-Baltistan i.e. Gilgit and Ghizer; Distribution: Reported from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India: Sikkim, Allahabad, Kumaun Malayan region to Siam (Bingham, 1897) Sri Lanka (Wijesekara, 2001) from Pakistan (Huda, 1975; Bibi, 1984; Rahoo et al., 1985; Dhuyo et al., 1986).

Xylocopa acutipennis smith, 1854: Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Chalt, 1♀, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: This is the first record from Pakistan; Distribution: India: Sikkim (Bingham, 1897; Gupta, 2010) while from India: Darjeeling, N. Khasi, Garo Hills; Myanmar: Dwana Hills, Southern Myanmar; Nepal: Kathmandu, Nayorkorte (Gupta, 2010).

Xylocopa dissimilis lepeletier, 1841: Material examined: Ghizer: Sher Qila, 2♀, 22-iii-10, leg. Hina; Ghizer: Gulapur, 1♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Skardu: Shigar, 4♀, 10-iv-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Previously reported by Hussain et al. (2010) from District Skardu. (Irshad et al., 2014) reported it from Punjab: Faisalabad; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Sindh: Sakrand; Gilgit-Baltistan: Skardu; Distribution: India; Sri Lanka; Myanmar (Bingham, 1897; Wijesekara, 2001) form India, China and Philipine (Gupta, 2010) from Pakistan (Hussain et al., 2010).

Family halictidae

Genus lassioglossum curtis, 1833: Lassioglossum cerambyx ebmer, 1980: Material examined: Gilgit: Jalal Abad, 1♀, 18-iii-10, leg. Hina; Ghizer: Gulapur, 2♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Hunza-Nagar: Chalt, 5♀, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: First time reported from Gilgit-Baltistan. However, Ascher and Rasmussen (2010) reported this species from Miandam (Swat); Distribution: Africa and Australia (Michener, 2007).

Genus nomia latreille, 1805: Nomia westwoodi gribodo 1894: Material examined: Gilgit: Jalal Abad, 2♀, 18-iii-10, leg. Hina; Hunza-Nagar, Minapin Nagar, 1♀, 27-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: This genus is first time recorded from Gilgit-Baltistan. Previously this species was reported by Bibi (1984) from Peshawar. (Irshad et al., 2014) reported from Punjab: Murree; Distribution: Asia, Australia, Africa, America (Michener, 2007).

Family megachilidae: Genus osmia panzer, 1806: Osmia cornifrons radoszkowski 1887: Material examined: Gilgit: Jalal Abad, 3♀, 18-iii-10, leg. Hina; Ghizer: Gahkuch, 4♀, 22-iii-10, leg. Hina; Hunza-Nagar: Hunza, 7♀, 29-iii-10, leg. Hina; Chalt, 1♂, 3♀ 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Skardu: Skardu 1♂ 4♀, 08-iv-11, leg. Hina; Skardu: Shigar 5♀, 10-iv-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Osmia cornifrons has been reported by Hussain et al. (2010) from Skardu; Distribution: Europe, Southwestern Asia, North America (Michener, 2007).

Family vespidae

Genus vespa linnaeus, 1758: Vespa velutina (Lepeletier, 1836): Material examined: Hunza-Nagar: Chalt, 2♀, 26-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: This species have been reported from Gilgit-Baltistan: Diamar, Chilas Hunza-Nagar, Ghizer, Gilgit, Skardu and Nomal; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Chitral, Swat, Charbagh, Shangla, Battagram, Abbottabad, Havelian, Mansehra, Lower and Upper Dir, Shougran, Garihabibullah, Jaba, Abbottabad, Nathia gali; Islamabad; Punjab: Murree, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal; Azad Jummu and Kashmir: Rawalakot, Pir Chinasi, Hajira, Topa, Thorar and Mandhol (Dvořák, 2007; Mahmood et al., 2012; Siddiqui et al., 2015; Faiz et al., 2016, Khan et al., 2017; Rafi et al., 2017; Rauf et al., 2018); Distribution: China; Bhutan; Afghanistan; India; Malaysia; Indonesia; Laos; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Vietnam; Taiwan; Thailand; introduced into Belgium; Tsushima; Korea; France; Italy; Portugal; Spain; Yemen (Carpenter and Kojima, 1997; Dvořák, 2007; Mahmood et al., 2012).

Genus vespula thomson, 1869: Vespula flaviceps (Smith, 1870): Material examined: Ghizer: Gahkuch, 1♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Earlier reported this species from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Nathia Gali, Swat, Batgram; Punjab: Murree (Dvořák, 2007; Mahmood et al., 2012; Rafi et al., 2017); Distribution: China; Nepal; Pakistan; Korea; Laos; India; Japan; Myanmar; Taiwan; Russia; Thailand (Carpenter and Kojima, 1997; Dvořák, 2007; Mahmood et al., 2012).

Vespula germanica (Fabricius, 1973): Material examined: Ghizer: Gahkuch, 1♀, 25-iii-11, leg. Hina; Skardu: Hussain Abad, 1♀, 25-iv-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Earlier reported this species from Gilgit-Baltistan: Ghizer, Skardu, Gilgit, Daimer, Khyber, Chillas, Gulmit, Khuramabad, Shish kot, Passu, Gulkin, Aliabad, Nagar, Denor, Sost, Misger; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Chitral, Havelian, Ayubia, Bamboret valley, Brun, Lower and Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, Baffa Swat and Kalam; Punjab: Rawalpindi, Baluchistan: Ziarat, Kalat (Chaudhry et al., 1966; Dvořák, 2007; Mahmood et al., 2012; Faiz et al., 2016; Rafi et al., 2017; Rauf et al., 2018); Distribution: Austria; Belgium; India; Kazakhstan; Azores; Armenia; Algeria; Belarus; Albania; Bulgaria; Canada; Poland; Portugal; China; Netherlands; Pakistan; Croatia; England; France; Germany; Israel; Iran; Korea; Czech Republic; Denmark; Gerogia; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Morocco; Mongolia; Luxembourg; Malta; Syria; Taiwan; Tajikistan; Norway; Russia; Scotland; Slovenia; Sweden; Switzerland; Spain; Romania; Turkey; Ukraine; Turkmenistan; Tunisia; Uzbekistan and U.K.; introduced into Ascension Island; Argentina; Australia; Canada; South Africa; New Zealand; Chile; Iceland; U. S. A. (Carpenter and Kojima, 1997; Dvořák, 2007; Mahmood et al., 2012).

Order lepidoptera

Family nymphalidae: Genus vanessa fabricius: Vanessa cardui linnaeus, 1758: Material examined: Ghizer: Sher Qila, 1♀, 22-iii-10, leg. Hina; Remarks: First time collected from district Ghizer. However already known from different localities i.e. Karachi (Swinhoe, 1887; Malik, 1970), Chitral (Leslie and Evans, 1903), Lahore (Ahsan and Iqbal, 1975), Harni (Balochistan) (Malik, 1970), Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Hasan, 1994; Iqbal, 1978), Gilgit by Hasan (1997). Recently reported from Buner (Naz, 2000) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Khan et al, 2008); Distribution: Throughout world except South America, Arctica and Antarctica. (Hasan, 1994).

Family papilionidae

Genus papilio Linnaeus: Papilio demoleus linnaeus, 1758: Material examined: Gilgit: Gilgit, 1♀, 22-03-11, leg. Hina; Remarks: Widely distributed in Pakistan e.g. Karachi (Swinhoe, 1887; Malik, 1970), Chitral (Lesilie and Evans, 1903), Lahore (Ahsan and Iqbal, 1975; Philipe and Rhe, 1917; Puri, 1931), Peshawar, Hazara, Haripur, Trarkhel, Mirpur (Chaudhry et al, 1970), Rawalpindi and Islamabad and Murree hills (Hasan, 1994; Iqbal, 1978), and Gilgit (Hasan, 1997). Recently collected from Buner (Naz, 2000), Swat, Kohat (Rafi et al., 2000) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Khan et al., 2008); Distribution: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Kampuchea, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Iran, Afghanistan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, United Arab Emirates (Rafi et al., 2000).

From biodiversity point of view there are two hot spots in the Himalaya; first is eastern Himalaya and second is western Himalaya (occur in Galigit Baltistan).

During surveys 18 species of 14 genera belonging to 07 families and 03 orders were recorded. Order Diptera was represented by only one family Syrphidae. Four families: Apidae, Halictidae, Megachilidae, and Vespidae were recorded from order Hymenoptera and from order Lepidoptera two (2) families: Nymphalidae and Papilionidae were reported. Of the 18 species collected and studied during the surveys, 02 were first time reported in Pakistan, 08 were first time reported in Gilgit Baltistan and the remaining 08 were previously reported in Pakistan (Table 1).

In family Syrphidae three (3) genera were recorded. From genus Eristalis two species namely; E. tenax and E. arbustorum were identified later was new record for Gilgit-Baltistan. One species Ischiodon scutellaris of genus Ischiodon and one species Scaeva selenitica of genus Scaeva were also collected. I. scutellaris was first time reported from GB, while genus Scaeva and its species Scaeva selenitica were new records for Gilgit-Baltistan area as well as for the country.

From Hymenoptera under genus Osmia two species were collected under family Megachilidae, while, family Apidae resulted into four genera. Only one species Ceratina viridissima was represented in genus Ceratina, this species is also a new record for this area. Genus Xylocopa contains three species i.e. X. collaris, X. acutipennis and X. dissimilis, out of these X. acutipennis is newly recorded species from Pakistan. In genus Apis and Bombus single species Apis mellifera and Bombus asciaticus were identified respectively. There were two unidentified species in each genera Nomia and Lassioglossum under Halictidae. Genus Nomia was first time reported from that area. The other unidentified species of Lassioglossum was also first confirm record for the area.

Two genera were recorded in family Vespidae i.e. Vespa and Vespula. These were very rare. Genus Vespa represented by one species V. velutina, which is widely reported from Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Azad Jammun Kashmir areas. Genus Vespula resulted into two species which were Vespula germanica and V. flaviceps, later was new record for Gilgit-Baltistan. Under Lepidoptera Vanessa cardui (Nymphalidae) and Papilio demoleus (Papilionidae) were reported and the former is new record for Gilgit Baltistan area.

However, in the Gilgit Baltistan area most of apricot cultivars blossom in early March. Honeybees were the most abundant on apricot flowers (55%) followed by wasp (13%) and bumble bees and butterflies (i.e. 8% each). Few respondents did report the activity of birds like sparrows on apricot flowers as well.

Different kinds of insect pollinators such as bees, flies, beetles, butterflies, moths and wasps are important pollinators of many crops (Partab, 2003). It has been estimated that over three quarters of the world’s crops and over 80 percent of all flowering plants depend on animal pollinators especially bees (Kenmore and Krell, 1998). In two recent studies Iqbal et al. (2016) reported ten species of wild bees as active pollinators of almond and Aslam et al. (2017) explored 15 species of non-apis bees from Potohar region.

It is concluded from above results that total number of specimens were 232 but except nine specimens all other were bees. So it can be concluded that bees are the top most pollinators of apricot in Gilgit-Baltistan, but as in the vicinity of apricot plants several other fruiting plants and crops were also grown that may have caused the presence of some other insect species such as dipterous flies, wasps and butterflies.

From this study it is concluded that from the localities: Gahkuch, Gulapur and Chalt most diverse species with high population has been collected, which have moderate altitudes. According to Cruden (1972) altitudinal gradient affects the pollinators’ activities, and bees are most efficient at middle altitude.

Author’s Contribution

Hina Maryam: Conceptualization, introduction and methodology.

Muhammad Ather Rafi: Study design and technical input at every step.

Ahmed Zia: Data collection, entry and literature review.

Ghulam Rasul: Data screening and analysis.

Muhammad Kamal Sheikh: Tabulation design framework and overall management.

Muhammad Qasim: Abstract and referencing.

Gulnaz Perveen: Write up, results & discussion and conclusions.

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