BIODIVERSITY OF COCCINELLIDS UNDER NORTH GUJARAT CONDITIONS

V. SHANMUGAPRIYA¹*, C.M. MURALIDHARAN^2
1Department of Agricultural Entomology, C.P. College of Agriculture, S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, 385506, India
²Department of Agricultural Entomology, Date palm Research Station, S.D. Agricultural University, Mundra, Kachchh, Gujarat, 370421, India
* Corresponding Author : Priya.kumar.09069@gmail.com

Received : 08-01-2017     Accepted : 13-01-2017     Published : 24-01-2017
Volume : 9     Issue : 4       Pages : 3739 - 3742
Int J Agr Sci 9.4 (2017):3739-3742

Keywords : Biodiversity, Species richness, Species evenness, Shannon diversity index
Academic Editor : Dr M. R. Siddhapara
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : The authors are highly thankful to the Department of Entomology, S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar for providing necessary facilities and ASPEE foundation for providing financial support to carry out this research work
Author Contribution : Shanmugapriya V.* – Acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of manuscript. Muralidharan C.M. – Study design and conception, Investigator the research work

A survey on biodiversity of coccinellids in different ecosystems of Sardarkrushingar indicated the presence of 15 different coccinellid species belonging to 6 different sub families. Cheilomenes sexmaculatus Fabricius was found to be the predominant species. Majority of the species belonged to sub family Coccinellinae representing 40% of the total species collected, followed by Chilocorinae (20%) and Epilachinae (20%). The forest ecosystem contained diverse group of coccinellids, as 5 out of 6 subfamilies were found. Agro ecosystem was recorded with maximum species richness followed by horticulture and forest ecosystem. Based on the Shannon index values, coccinellids shared highest diversity during December, in agro ecosystem, November in horticulture and forest ecosystem of the study area. The diversity of coccinellids was comparatively low during April, June and July in agro ecosystem. In horticulture ecosystem, the least population was recorded during May and July whereas in forest ecosystem during February to September.