Biodiversity Assessment of Pollinator Communities in Commercial Orchard Systems in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Pollinators play an indispensable role in the productivity of fruit and vegetable crops, and declining pollinator biodiversity represents a growing threat to agricultural systems globally. In commercial orchard systems in North Central Nigeria, insecticide-intensive management practices and habitat loss have raised concerns about the health of pollinator communities. This study assesses the diversity, abundance, and seasonal variation of pollinator communities in commercial citrus and mango orchards in Kwara State, comparing managed orchards with adjacent natural and semi-natural habitats as reference sites. Pollinators were sampled using pan traps, transect counts, and netting over four sampling periods corresponding to pre-bloom, full bloom, post-bloom, and dry season conditions. Species richness, Shannon diversity index, and functional group analysis were applied. A total of 68 pollinator species were recorded, including 34 bee species, 19 hoverfly species, and 15 butterfly species. Orchards with maintained ground cover and reduced insecticide application showed significantly higher pollinator diversity compared to intensively managed monoculture blocks. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) dominated the community in managed orchards. The study recommends integrating pollinator-friendly management practices, including reduced insecticide windows during bloom and establishment of wildflower strips, into commercial orchard management protocols in Kwara State. Keywords: pollinator biodiversity, orchard systems, Kwara State, bees, integrated pest management