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Variation in the pollinator community visiting invasive Cytisus scoparius L. Link (Fabaceae) along an elevation gradient

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Abstract

Invasive plants are a novel resource for the resident pollinator community, but may not be able to successfully attract pollinators if they have a specialized pollination system or restrictive floral morphology. Pollinator limitation may limit invasion success, but a plant able to attract many pollinators in different conditions will be a successful invasive species. In this study, we measured the pollinator community by capturing pollinators at several timepoints during the flowering season. Captures were made at six field sites along an elevation gradient. Measurements were specific to an invasive shrub with very low self-compatibility and a restrictive floral morphology, Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom). We found that the pollinator community varies along an elevation gradient, having more Apis mellifera at low elevation sites and more Bombus spp., especially Bombus sitkensis at higher elevations. We saw different higher pollination rates, but lower seed set at higher elevation sites. Although C. scoparius has been able to attract a variety of pollinators, pollen robbing by one species may result in decreased plant fitness.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Kaylin Fosnacht for helping in pollinator capture. Sandra Gillespie reviewed an early edition of this manuscript and gave feedback. Samuel Bode aided in field studies and observations. Saint Martin's University provided some funding and the facilities where research was performed. This project was funded by Murdock Life Sciences Grant No. 2015277.

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  1. Saint Martin’s University, 135 Ernsdorff Center, 5000 Abbey Way, Lacey, WA, 98503, USA

    Robert Frederick Bode, Roger Danner Linhart & Catherine Dufresne

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  1. Robert Frederick Bode
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  2. Roger Danner Linhart
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  3. Catherine Dufresne
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Correspondence to Robert Frederick Bode.

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Bode, R.F., Linhart, R.D. & Dufresne, C. Variation in the pollinator community visiting invasive Cytisus scoparius L. Link (Fabaceae) along an elevation gradient. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 14, 511–519 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-020-09755-8

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