Insect Pollinators of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum) From District Ghanche, Gilgit Baltistan

Abstract

Current study was initiated to investigate the insect pollinator fauna of Buckwheat crops at high elevations of District Ghanche, Gilgit Baltistan. In total, 507 specimens were collected during active flowering seasons of crop and yielding 17 species under 13 genera of 7 families belonging to three orders viz, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. Order Hymenoptera includes family Formicidae, Apidae and Vespidae, Diptera includes Syrphidae, Calliphoridae and Muscidae while Pieridae belonged to order Lepidoptera. Most interesting information related to this research is that Pieris brassicae is considered as a pest, but it played major role in pollination of Buckwheat and not documented as a pest. No pest is recorded during whole research period.