Flower visitors of chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in West Bengal and assessing yield enhancement by stingless bee (Tetragonula pagdeni Schwarz) pollination

Amid growing concerns over the decline of pollinator populations, understanding the diversity of pollinators is essential for optimising crop yields. The wild pollinators of chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in West Bengal, India, have not yet been fully documented, and the potential of stingless bees as commercial pollinators remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to identify the floral visitors of chili pepper and to assess the pollination efficiency of stingless bees (Tetragonula pagdeni). Bees (including honeybees, solitary bees, and stingless bees), butterflies, and wasps were observed visiting chili flowers. The most abundant and effective pollinators were Lasioglossum cavernifrons, Nomia (Hoplonomia) elliotii, Nomia strigata, and Tetragonula pagdeni. The crop species exhibited a high dependence on pollinators for yield, and pollination by managed stingless bees significantly enhanced both the quality and quantity of the yield. Therefore, the management of stingless bee pollination represents a promising approach for yield optimisation of chili pepper in sustainable agricultural systems.