Sains Malaysiana 41(9)(2012): 1057–1062

Importance of Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa varipuncta(Hymenoptera: Apidae) as Pollination Agent for Mangrove Community of Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

(Kepentingan Lebah Tukang, Xylocopa varipuncta(Hymenoptera: Apidae) Sebagai Agen Pendebungaan untuk Komuniti Pokok Bakau di Tanah Bencah Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia)

Wahizatul Afzan Azmi*, Roziah Ghazi & Nor Zalipah Mohamed

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 25 Januari 2012 / Diterima: 25 April 2012

ABSTRACT

A study on the importance of Xylocopa varipuncta (Hymenoptera: Apidae) as pollination agent was conducted at the Setiu Mangrove Forest, Terengganu from September to December 2010. The objective of this study was to identify the pollens collected by carpenter bees (X. varipuncta) in the mangrove community of Setiu Wetlands. A total of 35 types of pollens were collected from the body of X. varipuncta and only 10 types of the pollens were successfully identified. The identified pollens were of Avicennia alba, Lumnitzera racemosa, Sonneratia caseolaris, S. ovata and Rhizophora apiculata from exclusive mangroves, while Suregada multiflora, Melaleuca cajuputi, Derris trifoliata, Acacia auriculiformis and Hibiscus tiliaceus were from non-exclusive mangroves. Melaleuca cajuputi was the highest number of pollen carried by X. varipuncta. This study showed that X. varipuncta is an important pollen carrier in the mangrove community of Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu.

Keywords: Mangroves; pollination agent; Setiu Wetland; Xylocopa varipuncta

ABSTRAK

Satu kajian tentang kepentinganXylocopa varipuncta (Hymenoptera: Apidae) sebagai agen pendebungaan telah dijalankan di hutan paya bakau Setiu, Terengganu dari September hingga Disember 2010. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti debunga yang dibawa oleh X. varipunctadi komuniti pokok bakau Tanah Bencah Setiu, Terengganu. Sejumlah 35 jenis debunga telah dikutip daripada badan X. varipunctadan hanya 10 jenis dapat dikenal pasti. Debunga yang dikenal pasti adalahAvicennia alba, Lumnitzera racemosa, Sonneratia caseolaris, S. ovata dan Rhizophora apiculata daripada pokok bakau eksklusif, sementara Suregada multiflora, Melaleuca cajuputi, Derris trifoliata, Acacia auriculiformis danHibiscus tiliaceus adalah daripada pokok bakau bukan eksklusif. DebungaMelaleuca cajuputi adalah yang tertinggi dibawa olehX. varipuncta. Kajian ini telah menunjukkan bahawa X. varipunctaadalah pembawa debunga yang penting bagi pokok bakau di Tanah Bencah Setiu, Terengganu.

Kata kunci: Agen pendebungaan; bakau; Tanah Bencah Setiu; Xylocopa varipuncta

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*Pengarang surat-menyurat; email: wahizatul@umt.edu.my