International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Vaibhav P Ugare, Pulikeshi M Biradar

Abstract
The study was carried out to assess the coleopteran diversity of different areas of the Dharwad district. Survey work was carried out in five different areas (viz., forest, agriculture (maize crop), horticulture (mango plantation), plain/grassland and domestic areas) twice in every month for a period of one year i.e. from May-2018 to April-2019. Beetles were collected from different areas directly by hand picking or through pitfall trap method. The highest numbers of coleopteran species were found in forest area (with 899 individuals and 61 species) followed by mango plantation area (with 205 individuals and 29 species), plain/grassland area (with 162 individuals and 24 species) and domestic area (with 60 individuals and 10 species). Lowest number was found in Agriculture area (with only 33 individuals and 5 species). However, maximum number of species was found during monsoon (798 individuals and 55 species) as compared to winter (332 individuals and 35 species) and summer (229 individuals and 28 species) seasons. Statistical analysis of the surveyed data showed, high diversity value (Hʹ= 3.688) and Low Dominance value (D= 0.032) was recorded in the month of May-2018, whereas Low diversity value (Hʹ= 1.386) and High Dominance value (D= 0.285) was recorded in December-2018. Based on the results, it can be concluded that natural vegetation is the main key factor in abundance of insect diversity and it also indirectly affect due to anthropogenic activities and environmental factors through various ways.