Papilio multicaudata visiting the
inflorescence of Agastache mexicana
by Carbajal-Velázquez et al.
Pollinator gardens promote the conservation of pollinators within the urban landscape by offering various resources and friendlier habitats. Native plants are a key aspect for the success of these gardens as they are species that pollinators have historically interacted with and usually perform better than exotic plants. Although Mexico has a wide plant diversity, few species are available in nurseries to be used in the implementation of gardens. In this study, we focused on Agastache mexicana (Lamiaceae), deeply studied and commercially used plant for its medicinal properties. Specifically, we evaluated its potential to attract flower visitors and some aspects of its reproductive biology in a recently implemented pollinator garden. Over 276 hours of observation, 860 visits were recorded from 66 morpho species, distributed across 12 taxonomic orders. Interestingly, records included pollinators (26%), nectar robbers (57%) and 17% of contact species (i.e., animals using plants for predation, mating, nesting). A GLMM showed positive effects of ambient temperature, and a marked influence of co-flowering species present in the garden. Visits by pollinators and nectar robbers may be related to the presence of long-lasting inflorescences composed of large tubular nectar rewarding flowers in A. mexicana. According to our results A. mexicana contributes to the attraction of high taxonomic and functional diversity, including mutualistic and antagonistic interactions, highlighting its value for implementation in the design of urban gardens focused on pollinator conservation.
Read the scientific publication in JPE here!
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