Data on broad bean beetle (Bruchus rufimanus) damage, bumblebee pollination (Bombus terrestris) and faba bean (Vicia faba) yield - cage experiment in Sweden

Over the last 50 years, faba bean cropping area has been declining, partly due to yield instabilities associated to uneven insect pollination and herbivory. Yet, the effect of interactions between pollinators and a key pest, the broad bean beetle Bruchus rufimanus (florivorous and seed predating herbivore) on faba bean yield has not been investigated.

Using a factorial cage experiment (2 x 2 m) in the field we investigated how interactions between insect pollination by bumblebees and herbivory by the broad bean beetle, affect faba bean yield. The data on pest damage , pollinators visitation and behavior and faba bean yield components and biomass used in the paper: Riggi, L., Raderschall, C., & Lundin, O. (2022). Insect pest damage increases faba bean (Vicia faba) yield components but only in the absence of insect pollination.