1Department of Zoology, Shri Radheshyam R. Morarka Govt. College, Jhunjhunu-333 001, Rajasthan, India
2Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, Rajasthan, India
*Corresponding Author: Rajmohan Meena, Department of Zoology, Shri Radheshyam R. Morarka Govt. College, Jhunjhunu-333 001, Rajasthan, India. Email: rajmohanmeena27@gmail.com
Online published on 17 March, 2023.
Jhunjhunu district has semi-arid climatic condition which is favorable to flourish ground beetles. Diversity of ground beetles are beneficial to agricultural ecosystem as carabid beetles are prominent decomposers and reduce population of insect pest specially, caterpillars. The present study aimed to document diversity of ground beetles which will provide first even preliminary information needed for their conservation and use in integrated pest management program.
Sampling was carried out in Jhunjhunu district from January 2021 to December 2021. Four sampling sites viz., Site-A (agriculture land), Site-B (Plains are relatively flat land which is dominated by grasses, herbs and shrubs), Site-C (rocky area) and Site-D (blanks of water bodies) were selected based on different habitats situation. Carabid beetles were collected using pitfall trap, hand picking and light trap and identified by valid taxonomic keys.
Diversity indices authenticated a good diversity and abundance of ground beetles in the district. A total of 956 individuals of carabid beetles, representing 28 species and 19 genera belonging to 11 subfamilies viz. Harpalinae (7 species), Trechinae (7 species), Brachininae (3 species), Scaritinae (3 species), Lebiinae (2 species), Paussinae (1 species), Anthiinae (1 species), Carabinae (1 species), Pterostichinae (1 species), Platyninae (1 species), Cicindelinae (1 species) under Carabidae family were collected and identified from various habitats of study area. On the basis of total number of individuals Dromius quadrimaculatus is the most dominant species and constituted 18.62% of total beetles followed by Chlaenius bimaculatus (8.05%), Tetragonoderus intermed/us (7.64%) Lophyra differens (6.80%) and Bembidion ambiguum (5.02%). The highest diversity was observed at Site-B (H=2.72, J=0.83, M=4.43) followed by Site-A (H=2.72, J=0.83, M=4.08), Site-C (H=2.52, J=0.90, M=3.48) and Site-D (H=2.25, J=0.87, M=2.25).
Abundance, Carabidae, Coleoptera, Diversity, Ground beetles
