Database Abbreviations
for Insect Activities

For each plant species, there is a list of insects that visit its flowers (and extra-floral nectaries, if any). Immediately following the scientific and common names of each plant, is a summary of flower-related activity for the major insect groups. Sometimes, it is necessary to amend or supplement this summary with more specific information about an insect's activities, especially when it diverges from the normal behavior of its group. This is represented by 2- or 3-letter abbreviations following the scientific name of an insect species, which should be interpreted as follows:

cfo = collects floral oil

cp = collects pollen

cpt = cuts petals of flowers for nest construction

exp = explores the flower, but acquires neither nectar nor pollen

fp = feeds on pollen

fq = frequent flower visitor (about 6 or more visits reported)

fsp = feeds on stray pollen

gnw = gnaws on the flower

icp = in copula on the flower

lgf = lays eggs on flowers; larvae usually hitch rides on insect visitors and are brood parasites

np = non-pollinating

olg = oligolege; visits only a few species of flowers

prd = predatory; hides in flowers and preys on other insect visitors

prf = perforates the flower at its base to steal nectar

rst = rests on the flowers, seeking neither nectar nor pollen

shl = finds shelter in the flowers from wind or rain

sn = sucks nectar

In the database, it should be assumed that a group of insects are potential pollinators of a plant, unless it is specifically mentioned otherwise in the summary of insect activities. Sometimes an insect species doesn't follow the group norm, in which case its scientific name will be followed by the "non-pollinating" abbreviation above.

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