DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS IN COTTON FIELD FROM KHAIRPUR AND ITS ADJOINING AREAS

  • FAKHRA SOOMRO
  • AQSA ANSARI
Keywords: Cotton, abundance, insect, Shannon diversity index, Leaves, pest.

Abstract

Cotton is one of the most important cash crop and fiber of Pakistan. It is mainly cultivated to obtain its fiber but its seed oil is also extracted which then benefits the oil industry whereas the fiber plays a significant role in the textile industry of Pakistan. It always remains vulnerable to pest due its soft foliage, broad leave sap concentration, flowering and juicy ball attract the insect attack on the crop. Some pests may attack on different parts of the plant such as the bud, stem, leaves, roots or the cotton balls. During the present investigation the diversity and abundance of insects calculated with the special reference to the association of it with different part of cotton plant. A total number of 896 insect specimens were collected pretend to o5 orders and 09 families and 12 species. Most abundant pest recorded is Dsydercus cingulatus (cotton stainer) with a total of 195 specimens, mainly attacking on the leaves of the plant shannon diversity index was used to analyze the data. The Shannon Weiner diversity index of insect pests on cotton crop of District Khairpur was calculated as H’= 2.484% and E= 1.859%.

Published
2022-03-22