Forcipomyia hardyi (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a Potential Pollinator of Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Flowers in Hawaii

Abstract

Biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia are known to be important pollinators of cacao trees in cocoa producing countries throughout the world. Forcipomyia hardyi is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is here reported to pollinate cacao trees on the island of Oahu. We report that F. hardyi visits cacao flowers where it picks up pollen, and therefore it is potentially an important pollinator of cacao in Hawaii.