DIVERSITY OF INSECT FAUNA IN CROPLANDS OF DISTRICT FAISALABAD

Insects are the largest and the most diverse group of organisms. Different crops showed varied responses towards insect populations. Present study was aimed at collection, identification and comparison of species richness, abundance and evenness of insect fauna from four major crops (sugarcane, fodder, wheat and brassica) in District Faisalabad. Sugarcane was the preferred crop by majority of faunal species followed by fodder, wheat and brassica. Maximum diversity of faunal species was found in sugarcane whereas; wheat crop was found to support maximum coleopteran predators and hemipteran pests. Wheat and brassica fauna showed maximum similarity. The insect data of the year 2007-8 was considerably more diverse and abundant than that of 2008-9. Trophic guild showed, phytophagous (175) followed by zoophagous (41), omnivore (27) and saprophagous (23) species. The present insect data base will be helpful in designing future integrated pest management studies.