Insect Floral Visitors and Reproductive Biology of Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera: Euphorbiaceae): A Multi‑State Study in the Southeastern United States

This collection contains three datasets associated with the study of the reproductive biology and pollinator interactions of the invasive Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera, Euphorbiaceae) in the southeastern United States: Chinese_Tallow_Fruit_Data_FL – Fruit set data collected in Florida during 2022 as part of an insect exclusion experiment. These data quantify fruit production from Triadica sebifera inflorescences under open-pollinated versus insect-excluded treatments, allowing evaluation of the species’ dependency on biotic pollination for reproduction. Chinese_Tallow_Fruit_Data_AL – Complementary fruit set data collected in Alabama during 2022 using the same insect exclusion experimental design assessing fruit set in Alabama. Chinese_Tallow_Pollinator_Data – Floral visitor survey data collected across Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana during the 2021 and 2022 bloom seasons. This dataset documents over 1,079 insect specimens representing 38 families and 177 genera/species observed or captured on Triadica sebifera inflorescences. Records include abundance, taxonomic identification, and associations with specific bloom types (staminate, pistillate, and synchronous).