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1 June 2003 The Importance of Species of Dasytinae (Coleoptera: Melyridae) as Pollinators in Western North America
Jonathan R. Mawdsley
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Abstract

Species of 11 families of Coleoptera are known to pollinate flowering plants. In western North America, the 300 species of the beetle subfamily Dasytinae (Coleoptera: Melyridae) are commonly found on flowers, where adults feed on both nectar and pollen. The dense setae and pubescence of adult dasytines often trap pollen grains, which are transported to other flowers during the course of normal adult feeding. Adults of many dasytine species are abundant, and may form large feeding aggregations. A preliminary list is presented of plant species on whose flowers or pollen cones adult dasytines have been collected, based on literature records and museum specimen labels. These plant species represent 68 genera in 26 families, and include species grown as food crops and species that are important browse or forage plants for livestock and wildlife. At least two plant species, both in the family Polemoniaceae, rely predominantly on species of Dasytinae for pollination.

Jonathan R. Mawdsley "The Importance of Species of Dasytinae (Coleoptera: Melyridae) as Pollinators in Western North America," The Coleopterists Bulletin 57(2), 154-160, (1 June 2003). https://doi.org/10.1649/541
Received: 28 August 2001; Accepted: 1 January 2002; Published: 1 June 2003
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