ABSTRACT
Leucaena leucocephala is a Central American (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) species. It was disseminated to the coastal Pacific lowlands and the Caribbean by the pre-Colombian Indians. Because it is an exotic species and there is little information about its floral biology, a study concerning the associated insects was carried out. Insects associated to floweing and fructification were studied using the isolation of inflorescences. Phenotogical observations were performed in 20 inflorescences, preiously chosen, in four thees, in regular periods of observations. Insects were captured in two flowering branches per tree, with and entomological net between 6:00 AM. to 6:00 P.M. The largest incidence of open flowers happened during the night. These flowers stayed available to insects for one day. The decrease on the insect frequency was correlated to an increase of temperature and the increase on the wind speed. The most frequent insects were Apis melifera and Trigona spenipes. A. melifera carried more pollen tham the other species. The average of fruits produced by open pollination via insects, was higher than that produced without the action of the insects.
Key words:
Leucaena leucocephala, insect; pollination
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