Insects fauna associated with Calotropis procera (Milk weed) from Hingna, district Nagpur, (M.S., India)

Field surveys were conducted during Feb-2021 to May-2021 and Feb2022 to May-2022 at Hingna Taluka of Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, to document different insects associated with Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae). A total of 18 insects were found to be present on this plant during summer season. Out of these 18 insect species (5 belonging to Order Hemiptera, 4 to Diptera, 3 to Coleoptera, 2 to Lepidoptera, 2 to Hymenoptera and 2 from Araneae ) were potential pollinators, 7 generalized herbivores (three belonging to order Hemiptera, 2 from Coleoptera, one each to Diptera and lepidoptera) feeding on different parts of the host plant and 2 were specialized co-evolved, pre-dispersal seed predators (one belonging to order Coleoptera and other belonging to Diptera). The field activity and habits of these insects were also studied.