Prevalence and abundance of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp insect flower visitors as possible pollinators

Abstract The study assessed the prevalence and abundance of insects on cowpea flowers in some farms in some districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Two research questions were answered and two null hypotheses tested. Survey was conducted in ten farms. Farms were visited between 6.00am and 12.00pm to observe insects on the flowers during this period. Insects were observed on stigma, anther and inside flowers. Samples of insects were collected using sweep net for identification. Insects were identified up to order and in some cases species level. Data was analysed using Chi square (χ²) by employing use of contingency tables. Insects observed on the flowers were Apis mellifera, Ceratina sp., thrips, crickets, flies, butterflies/moths, Megachile sp., Lasioglosum sp., ants, wasps, Xylocopa calens, and beetles. The most prevalent insects were butterflies/moths and the most abundant were thrips. Differences between the numbers of insects on flowers in all the farms put together were statistically significant (χ² = 23,051.985; DF = 11; p<0.05). The findings suggest that the insects observed on the flowers are probable pollinators and hence must be preserved. Keywords: Prevalence, abundance, insect visitors, Xylocopa calens, hymenoptera, observed