Morphometric profiling of hymenopteran pollinators from cherry orchards in the Kashmir Valley, India

Abstract

Hymenoptera, a diverse and ecologically important insect order, plays a vital role in enhancing fruit crop productivity through pollination. Despite their significance, morphometric data on pollinators from the temperate cherry orchards of the Kashmir Valley are limited. The present study, therefore, assessed interspecific and intraspecific morphological variation among 10 hymenopteran species belonging to four families: Apidae (Apis mellifera, A. cerana, Bombus albopleuralis), Halictidae (Lasioglossum rugifrons, L. matianense, L. marginatum), Andrenidae (Andrena fucata, A. pilipes, A. agilissima), and Vespidae (Vespula vulgaris). A total of 38 morphometric traits were recorded from the head, thorax, abdomen, and wings. Multivariate analysis, including Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis using Python, revealed clear patterns of morphometric divergence and genus-level clustering. Closely related species such as A. mellifera and A. cerana, and the Lasioglossum group, formed tight clusters. In contrast, distinct species like B. albopleuralis and V. vulgaris were separated due to larger body sizes and unique structural adaptations. Morphological diversity among species has ecological relevance, influencing pollination efficiency, foraging behavior, and floral specialization. Robust bees like B. albopleuralis, with strong tibiae and long wings, are suited for long-distance foraging and pollinating deep flowers. In contrast, L. matianense is adapted to localized foraging and shallow blooms. These functional differences highlight the complementary roles of diverse pollinators in supporting stable and efficient pollination services. The integration of morphometric and ecological analyses emphasizes the value of both Apis and non-Apis bees in cherry orchard ecosystems.