Which of the following best describes the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on pollinators as discussed in the context of mango cultivation?

They cause neurotoxic effects in bees, impairing their navigation and survival.

They are harmless to native bees but lethal to hoverflies.

They increase fruit yield by eliminating competing insect pests.

They enhance the pollination efficiency of non-native bees.

According to research on mango pollination, why do native bees often outperform non-native bees in terms of fruit yield?

Native bees transfer pollen between different orchards, leading to better fruit development.

Native bees exclusively pollinate hermaphrodite flowers.

Non-native bees are unable to visit mango flowers due to their size.

Native bees are more resistant to neonicotinoids.

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25 June 2026

Insects and mango varieties in India

The topic provides valuable context on the role of pollinators in agricultural productivity and environmental conservation, which can be used to substantiate answers regarding sustainable farming practices and biodiversity in GS3.

Notes

India hosts over 1,000 mango varieties, including Banganapalli, Dassheri, Alphonso, Badaami, Imaam Pasandh, Malgoa, and Lalbagh.
Mango trees bloom between December and March, producing panicles containing hundreds to 10,000 flowers each.
Pollination is essential for fruit formation; flowers may be male, female, or hermaphrodite.
Research indicates that wild insects—including bees (Apis florea, Apis dorsata, Tetragonula sp.), hoverflies, house flies, and blow flies—increase mango yields by up to 350%.
Ants act as 'messy pollinators' and contribute significantly to the pollination process.
Non-native bees (e.g., Apis mellifera) may lead to lower yields and malformed fruits due to localized foraging and incorrect pollen transfer compared to native bees.
Neonicotinoid insecticides are neurotoxic to bees, impairing navigation and memory, leading to reduced pollinator populations and lower fruit yields.
The Indian government has included pollinators in its environmental accounting framework, estimating their contribution to agriculture at ₹2.6 lakh crore in 2021-22.
Pollinators are recognized as ecologically vital, with India hosting over 800 bee species, plus butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, bats, and flies.
Proposed conservation strategies include bee-safe pesticides, timing insecticide sprays to avoid peak pollinator activity, and creating natural/semi-natural buffer zones near orchards.

Questions

Examine the role of wild pollinators in enhancing agricultural productivity in India. Discuss the impact of modern agricultural practices on these biodiversity assets. 150 words

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The integration of natural capital into economic accounting is a significant step toward sustainable development. In the context of India's environmental accounting framework, discuss the importance of valuing ecosystem services like pollination for food security and biodiversity conservation. 250 words

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Prelims

Which of the following best describes the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on pollinators as discussed in the context of mango cultivation?

According to research on mango pollination, why do native bees often outperform non-native bees in terms of fruit yield?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

Kingmakers: meet the insects that make India’s favourite mangoes

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