ASHS 2024 Conference

Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba) is a temperate species of tropical Annonaceae plant family native to the United States. They are small to medium-sized deciduous trees that bear unique and flavorful fruit. Pawpaw fruits are used in various culinary products such as jam, bread, ice cream, cookies, and even to produce brandy. Additionally, they contain antioxidants and acetogenins, which are currently being researched for their potential in cancer treatment. Fruit sets may be limited in some cultivars due to pawpaw flowers being protogynous and self-incompatible, blooming at various stages of development from late March to April. Consequently, the role of insects in pollination is crucial for increasing fruit production. To address this gap in research, this study aims to identify the different insect orders that visit both flowering and non-flowering branches of two distinct pawpaw cultivars (Sunflower and Susquehanna), along with their respective abundances. Ten trees from each pawpaw cultivar were selected to investigate the various pollinator types. In a completely randomized design, 40 wire cage traps with tangle trap adhesive were placed on both the flowering and non-flowering branches of each chosen cultivar. After 18 days of the flowering period, the traps were collected, and the insects captured were identified by order and counted. The data were analyzed using R software (R 4.3.2) and subjected to a one-way ANOVA with flower and non-flower of each cultivar, a two-way ANOVA, Least Significant Difference (LSD) means separation, with flowers and cultivars as the treatments. In 2023, ‘Sunflower’ had significantly more Dipterans and total insects (p-value: 0.3373 NS and 0.3740 NS). In comparison, ‘Susquehanna’ had significantly more Coleopterans (p-value: 0.40525 NS), and in ‘Susquehanna’, coleopterans had significantly more in the flower-branch (p-value: 0.0255*) for 2023. Additionally, data for 2024 will also be reported and will include additional data on insects observed inside the female receptive and matured male flowers from each cultivar.