More than the usual suspect: diversity of pollinators of chayote (Sechium edule) at high elevations in Chiapas, Mexico

Crops that offer multiple types of value, for example, in terms economy, culture, and health, frequently lack information on the basic ecological interactions play a significant role their persistence. Chayote (Sechium edule, Cucurbitaceae), widespread squash valued its nutritious fruit, is one example. We aimed at describing assemblage flower visitors to this crop 2400 m where stingless bees, reported as main pollinators, are naturally absent. implemented exclusions, performed field observations, inspection pollen loads captured be able draw distinctions between primary secondary pollinators. recorded total 60 species or morphospecies insects visiting flowers. Bees, wasps, flies, present all sites consistently carrying abundant pollen, pollinators S. edule high altitudes. Our study adds building evidence fundamental native bees wasps subsistence farming. Basic knowledge essential inform agricultural management policies foresee preventable food scarcity problems, especially view climate change scenarios predict drastic alterations plant geographical distributions.