Ecology of entomological communities in cocoa flowers (Theobroma cacao L.) in the shade-grown system: harmonic interactions in pollination

Theobroma cacao L. is a crop of global importance, whose various aspects are studied annually. However, the ecology of pollination, including the mechanisms of interaction between floral visitors and cacao, still lacks substantial understanding. This study aimed to inventory the entomological community in the shade-grown system, to assess their behaviour and ecological roles in flower interactions. Cocoa flowers and their visitors were observed during the period of floral receptivity after anthesis. Four insect visiting periods were evaluated: 6:00 am–09:00 am, 9:00 am–12:00 am, 12:00 am–3:00 pm and 3:00 pm–6:00 pm. Behaviour was observed to determine ecological roles. The most common communities of visitors to cocoa flowers were Hymenoptera (57%), Hemiptera (18%), Diptera (17%) and Coleoptera (8%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) classified behaviour of foraging, especially among dipterans, which spent more time inside the flowers and, as they moved around, came into contact with the floral reproductive structures, becoming effective pollination agents during the period (I). The most common visitors to cocoa flowers in the shade were ants, aphids and flies with more active behaviours during the day, suggesting that the flowers' pollination mechanism may be less specialized, but with a diversity of active and efficient visitors to ensure reproduction of the plant. Forcipomyia sp. flies were frequent pollinators, while ants Crematogaster acuta were the most abundant and constant visitors, despite the long foraging period, mutualism with hemipterans was more evident. Cocoa production management strategies need to be rethought to maintain beneficial insects that are essential for pollination ecology.