Abstract

Lippia javanica was widely used during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has been conducted to address the chemical composition and cultivation of L. Javanica. However, research gaps remain, such as pollinator visitation to L. javanica, particularly dipteran pollinators, owing to the small size of the flowers. To address this gap, this study assessed dipteran flower visitors (including potential pollinators) of L. javanica in cultivated (treatment) and wild areas (control) in Zimbiru and Mutake villages. The research aimed to identify the taxonomic composition of dipteran flower visitors and compare their abundance in different areas. The study took place between August 2023 and June 2024. The research covered two sites. Each site had three demarcated plots, with two pan traps of the same color placed in each plot, resulting in a total of six pan traps of three different colors (yellow, blue, white) per site. The study identified seven dipteran families and 11 genera, the families with the highest frequencies were Caliphoridae, Muscidae and Stratiomyidae, respectively. Eight out of eleven (8/11) genera identified showed a significant difference between the wild and cultivated areas (P<0.05). Un-disturbed l and was favoured by dipteran pollinators; thus urging people to practice sustainable agriculture. 

Key words: Abundance, Dipteran, Families, Habitat, Pollinators