Abstract
While sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest domesticated oilseed crops, it has only recently become a new and emerging crop for the southeast USA. As little is known about the insect fauna of sesame in the United States, it will be important to document insect communities now while management programs are still being developed. Here, we provide the first survey of beneficial insects, including pollinators and potential natural enemies, for sesame in the United States. Beneficial insects within sesame fields were surveyed in 2023 at 2 locations in North Carolina, United States using 2 sampling methods: visual identification and sticky cards. During visual surveys, insects were field identified, with up to 5 physical specimens collected per species for identification verification. Pollen was then removed, identified, and quantified from collected specimens. Potential natural enemies collected on sticky cards were categorized as stilt bugs (Hemiptera: Berytidae: Jalysus spinosus Say), dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera), lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and wasps (Hymenoptera: Apocrita). We found 18 bee (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) species visiting sesame flowers, with honey bees collecting the most sesame pollen per specimen. Wasps were the most abundant natural enemy category, with over 100 wasps collected at some sampling events. The information from this study can be used to ensure beneficial insect communities are protected as sesame production is expanded in the United States.