Author(s):

Veeramuthu Anbalagan, Michael Gabriel Paulraj, Savarimuthu Ignacimuthu

Abstract: Order Hymenoptera is an important group in class insecta as they contain agriculturally, ecologically and economically valuable species. They are also ecological indicators. Hymenopteran parasitoids are potential biocontrol agents in agricultural fields. Ants, honey bees and bumble bees are very good pollinators. Studies on diversity and distribution of fauna are pre-requisites for biodiversity conservation. In the present study, the biological diversity of hymenopteran families was studied in vegetable crops in Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted from Janualry 2009 to December 2012. The study revealed the presence of 100 species and 37 families of hymenoptera in the area. Totally 4994 individuals were sampled during the study period. Formicidae was the most dominant family in the study area. Braconidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae and Platygastridae were also found to be dominant in the vegetable fields. The months July to December was found to be favourable to the hymenopteran insects since the population and diversity indices namely Shannon index and evenness were very high during these months. In summer, which comes in the first half of the year, the diversity and population were very low.

Pages: 100-104  |  2310 Views  752 Downloads

Download (860KB)