Entomofauna and potential pollinators of strawberry crop under semi-hydroponic conditions

ABSTRACT Strawberry cultivation under semi-hydroponic conditions has increased in the Southern region of Brazil since it facilitates management, besides avoiding weather adversities, pests and diseases. However, protected environment can hamper the access of pollinator insects, essential for crop productivity. This work aimed to know the entomofauna associated with strawberry cultivar Albion cultivated under semi-hydroponic conditions and to identify potential species of native pollinating bees. Insects were captured at different times of the day (9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) in three commercial crops located in Bento Gonçalves and Farroupilha, Rio Grande do Sul. In each study area, three days of sampling were carried out during January 2017. The flowers were visited by 47 species of insects. Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) was the most abundant, constant, dominant and frequent species. Twelve species of native bees were identified: Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Tetrapedia sp., Trigona spinipes, Schwarziana quadripunctata, Plebeia emerina, P. remota, Bombus pauloensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Dialictus sp.1, Dialictus sp.2, Augochloropsis sp.1, Augochloropsis sp.2, and Augochlora sp.1 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). All these species are potential pollinators of the crop. The native species T. fiebrigi, P. emerina and P. remota present potential for directed pollination of the strawberry under protected cultivation due to abundance and ease of management.