DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS IN TWO DIFFERENT DISTRICTS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN.

The diversity of insects is considered a key element in the ecosystem. Climatic conditions affect the distributional patterns of insects such as change in weather influence population dynamics and insect abundance. The present study was designed to ascertain the faunal diversity and abundance in two districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Insects were collected monthly for one year using light traps. Data were collected measuring the environmental variables, viz. temperature, humidity, and wind speed. Samples were then brought to the laboratory and shifted to vials. After that, the specimens were identified using taxonomic keys and literature. The maximum population recorded from the Hafizabad was 75.66% (N=14509), and the lowest population from the Faisalabad was 24.34% (N=4667). Insects belonging to 11 orders, 68 families, 123 genera, and 140 species were recorded from Hafizabad, while ten orders, 77 families, 145 genera, and 177 species were recorded from Faisalabad. Tanytarsus sp. was the most abundant taxon from both localities. The Shannon diversity (H') index was recorded as 3.60 and 2.747 from Faisalabad and Hafizabad, respectively. Evenness was recorded highest from Faisalabad (0.6955), and dominance was maximum from Hafizabad (0.4440). The diversity of species was determined to be significantly different from both areas, while abundance from Faisalabad was less due to environmental variable influence. Since insect biomass reduction is critical in the contemporary world and, in-depth studies on insect diversity patterns are helpful for insect conservation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]