Diversity and abundance of insects on Potato, Mustard and Tomato in winter at Mitchells farm, Okara, Pakistan

Abstract

Abundance is defined as the relative representation of species in a particular area. It is usually measured as the number of individuals found per sample. The abundance of insects was recorded from the selected fields of mustard, potato and tomato fields. Samples were collected by applying quadrant method, simple tools were used i.e. sweep nets and direct handpicking. Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera were the main orders of the insects that were most abundant and effecting the selected fields. Total collected specimens were numbered as 117, out of which 65 specimens were recorded from mustard 36 from tomato and 16 from potato field. The results indicate that insects have subsequent association with their host vegetables at leafy stage. A maximum abundance of insects was found in mustard fields and least in Potato field. A common insect found among all fields was the budworm. Abundance was recorded less because of some factors i.e. low temperature and pesticides.