An Assessment of Entomofaunal Diversity in Narmada Canal Command Area of North Gujarat region, India

Abstract

An insects survey was conducted in Narmada Canal Command Area (NCCA) of North Gujarat region as a part of project “Study on Impact of Narmada Canal System on Environment and Ecology of the Areas benefited by the Canal System in Parts of North Gujarat, Saurashtra & Kachchh in Gujarat State”. The study includes 4 districts falling in North Gujarat region viz. Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, Mehsana and Patan. Visual Encounter Survey (VES) was carried out to detect and record insects in these districts. A total of 126 species belonging to 11 orders and 56 families were recorded in North Gujarat region. During this study, out of total species encountered in North Gujarat region around 28.57 % of species diversity is contributed by Lepidoptera and 13.49 % of species diversity is contributed by Odonata order. In, Banaskantha District, a total of 43 species of insects were encountered which belonged to 11 orders. In, Patan District, a total 44 species of insects were recorded that belonged to 8 orders. In, Mehsana District, a total of 50 species of insects recorded that belonged to 8 orders. In, Gandhinagar district, a total of 83 species of insects were encountered which belonged to 11 orders. Insect are beneficial to ecosystem directly or indirectly. Insect perform various different roles within ecosystem like pollination, seed dispersal, control population of other organisms, nutrient cycling and maintain soil fertility and provide a major food source for other taxa. The major insect groups recorded during the study mainly belonged to the groups like Dragonflies, Damselflies, webspinners, Grasshopper, Cricket, Locusts, Roaches, Mantis, Termites, Bugs, Antlions, Lacewings, Beetles, Flies, Mosquitoes, Ants, Bees, Wasp, Butterflies and Moths.