Abstract Detail

Ecology

Pimienta, Maria Cleopatra [1], Koptur, Suzanne [2].

Floral visitors of the rough-leaf velvetseed Guettarda scabra (Rubiaceae) in south Florida, USA.

Previous surveys in south Florida have provided a big picture of the community assemblage of flower visiting insects in natural areas, but detailed information on the visitors of particular species of plants is generally lacking. This is the case of the rough-leaf velvetseed, a plant native to pine rockland and hardwood hammock ecosystems, where it is fairly abundant. Despite that, little work has been done to identify insects visiting Guettarda scabra. As part of my ongoing work on the pollination biology of the rough-leaf velvetseed, the insect visitors to this plant were surveyed during the summers of 2016 and 2018. Diurnal and nocturnal observations were made in two locations in Miami-Dade County. I present here a preliminary checklist of the flower visitors of G. scabra, along with the potential significance of their interaction with this plant. Of the 29 species observed visiting the flowers, the most likely pollinator species are four species of nocturnal hawkmoths (Aellopus tantalus, Xylophanes tersa, Eumorpha fasciata and Perigonia lusca), the southern carpenter bee (Xylocopa micans), and a species of long-horned beetle (Eburia distincta). However, the frequent visits of some species of butterflies and skippers might also be playing a role as pollen vectors.

1 - Florida International University, Department of Biological Sciences, 11200 SW 8th st , Miami, Fl, 33199, USA
2 - Florida International University, Department Of Biological Sciences, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, United States

Keywords:
Floral visitors
Guettarda scabra
Pollination
rough-leaf velvetseed
Rubiaceae
Insects
Butterflies
Hawkmoths
Florida
Nocturnal pollination
Diurnal pollination
Hawkmoth pollination
pine rockland 
Everglades
southern carpenter bee 
long-horned beetle
native plant
pollination biology
skippers.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecology Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEC009
Abstract ID:420
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Graduate Student Poster