The floral anthesis of flowers of Moringa oleifera were carried out in 2014 in Dano, Burkina Faso. The flowers are open for several days and proteandrous, e.g. the anthers release pollen before the stigma (female part) is receptive. After the antheres withered, the stylus grows out of the flower and the stigma becomes receptive. This dichogamy prevents self-pollination of the flowers.

Moringa oleifera is a multi purpose tree rich in vitamins and can serve as valuable nutrition source for the local population in West-Africa. Furthermore, leaves are being dried and processed to powder which is sold at local markets. The seeds can be eaten fresh or used for oil extraction. We observed 3 different criteria of fruit damage (dried up - ligneous; mould - with fungi; with herbivory damage). Mould and fruits with herbivory damage did not differ significantly from intact fruits regarding the number of damaged seeds. However, dried up fruits, appearing as ligneous, had a significantly higher number of damaged seeds, which can not be used for further processing or consumption. The reason is not yet clear, but we assume stagnant moisture to be the reason for the dried up fruits and aborted seeds (the plants choke on the wetness). Cultivation of Moringa should be carried out on well drained soil.

Insect visitor observations were carried out for 180hours in the dry and rainy season 2014 in Dano, Burkina Faso. Flower visitors were considered as nectar thieves when neither touching anthers nor stigma of the flowers during the visit and thus only robbing nectar without pollination. Since Moringa oleifera originates from the Himalaya region, hardls anything is known about its reproductive ecology in West Africa.

Moringa oleifera is a multi purpose tree rich in vitamins and can serve as valuable nutrition source for the local population in West-Africa. Furthermore, leaves are being dried and processed to powder which is sold at local markets. The seeds can be eaten fresh or used for oil extraction. This study investigated the herbivores on Moringa oleifera, feeding on leaves and fruits.

flower visitor observations were carried out for 180hours in the dry and rainy season 2014 in Dano, Burkina Faso. Flower visitors were considered as potential pollinators when either touching anthers or stigma of the flowers and thus potentially transferring pollen grains. Since Moringa oleifera originates from the Himalaya region, hardls anything is known about its reproductive ecology in West Africa.