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Influence of Cotton Genotypes on Floral Visits of Honey Bees¹

Cotton genotypes (Gossypium spp.) were studied for their floral attractiveness to honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in Pima County, Ariz. The genotypes varied greatly in floral attractiveness, but differences tended to be consistent.

Genotypes containing at least some cytoplasm from species other than G. hirsutum L. were generally more attractive than normal lines developed from G. hirsutum. The most attractive genotypes were three late blooming tetraploids developed from crosses involving G. arboreum L., G. thurberi Todaro, and G. hirsutum. A purple-flowered hexaploid developed from an ‘Acala 44-10-1’ x G. sturtianum Willis cross also ranked high in attractiveness.

None of the genotypes of cytoplasms studied were sufficiently attractive to overcome the mid-season drop in bee visits that occurs in southern Arizona. Some of the more attractive genotypes may be used in hybridization programs to increase the floral attractiveness of the parental A, B, and R-lines that will be used to produce hybrid cotton seed.

Key Words: Male sterile cotton • Hexaploid • Hybrid cotton • Apis mellifera L. • Gossypium spp.

² Research Entomologist and research technician, respectively, Bee Research Laboratory, ARS-USDA, 2000 E. Allen Rd., Tucson, AZ 85719.

³ Professor of agronomy and plant genetics, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 and professor of entomology, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071.

Received for publication February 14, 1975.