Flower-visiting Arthropods of the Invasive Weed, Lantana camara L.

Abstract

Lantana camara L. is an important invasive plant species in many regions around the world including Thailand. Efficient reproductive characteristics and pollination by insects seems to be of major importance to its spread into new areas. Therefore, this study aims to explore diversity of flower-visiting arthropods of L. camara in Thailand. Field work was conducted bimonthly throughout a year (Nov 2013-Dec 2014) at Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. In total, 27 taxonomic groups of arthropods were recorded visiting and living on flowers/inflorescences of L. camara. Bees and adult butterflies showed the highest frequencies of visits, 32% and 28% respectively. While, lace bugs spent the longest time on flowers of L. camara for both total visiting time and length of time per visit. For small arthropods extracted from the inflorescences, thrips and mites were the most frequently found animals in all surveys. Moreover, thrips were found in large numbers and in significantly higher numbers during dry season (Nov-Dec 2013, and 2014) than wet season. Several groups of associated animals found here were noted as potential pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and thrips. Whereas, other phytophagous groups, such as hemipterans and mites, could possibly be used as biological control agents of L. camara.