DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF FAMILY APHIDIDAE FROM SELECTED CROPS OF FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Meaningful diversity measures are necessary to increase awareness on the issue of biodiversity. Specific study of various communities present within the agro-ecosystem is necessary for its management. Aphids act as one of the major pest of crops. Present study was conducted to determine the species diversity and abundance of aphids in cropland of Faisalabad for a period of one year. A total of nine species of aphids were recorded. Brevicoryne brassicae was one of abundant species 30% followed by Myzus persicae (28%) Schizaphis graminum (11%) Rhopalosiphum padi (10%) Rhopalosiphum maidis (9%) and Lipaphis erysimi (8%). Highest diversity of aphids was observed in winter with 65%. The impact of environmental factor on abundance and diversity was determined by canonical correspondence analysis. The presented data base will be helpful in ecological pest management strategies of aphids.