Biodiversity of Coleopterans Associated with Ecosystems in North East India- A Study

Extensive surveys were undertaken in three hundred and twenty one (321) areas covering eight (8) states of North East India during 2006–09. A total collection of 2635 specimens of Coleoptera belonging to different families of Suborder Adephaga (2 families) and superfamilies (12 Nos.) of suborder Polyphaga (24 families) was made. The insects were collected from 73 crops (including some weeds) and some unidentified forest trees. The collected specimens were identified, categorized and preserved in the Division of Entomology, I.C.A.R. Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. From the collection, it was observed that the maximum number of species (94) belonged to superfamily Chrysomeloidea representing 44.13% followed by superfamily Curculionoidea (50 species) representing 23.47% and rest belonged to other superfamilies. The maximum number of 65 and 45 species identified and representing 30.52% and 21.13% of species were from Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae, respectively. Out of 213 species recorded leaf feeders (38.50%), stem borers (17.37%), root feeders (6.10%) and predators (5.16%) were the major pests and the salient details of their hosts, nature of damage and classification are provided.