Diversity of Leafhoppers on Fruit Crops and Weeds in North Kashmir

This study analyses the diversity of leafhopper fauna at six locations (Wadura, Arampora, Dangiwacha, Imberzalwari from District Baramulla and Chogul and Chetkak from District Kupwara) occurring on various fruit crops and weeds. Diversity indices such as species diversity index, evenness index, richness index and abundance were computed. These reveal that six species infest these, of which those infesting fruit trees include Empoasca decipiens, Empoasca fabae, Agallia spp., Aconeurella erebrus and Exitianus indicus; and Stirellus spp., Maiestas dorsalis, Macrosteles quadrilineatus, Exitianus indicus and one plant hopper species viz., Laodelphax striatellus infest weeds. Maximum abundance was observed to be of A. decedens on fruit trees and Stirellus spp. on the weed flora.