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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Survey-based checklist and insect pest diversity in vegetable cultivation areas around Muzaffarpur, Bihar (India)
Authors
Supriya Kumari, Sunil Kumar Singh
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive survey of insect pest diversity
associated with major vegetable crops—brinjal, tomato, okra, cabbage,
cauliflower, and cucurbetaceae—in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar (India)
over two cropping seasons (July 2023–June 2024). A total of 40 insect pest
species were documented, comprising 18 major and 22 minor pests, distributed
across five insect orders and 13 families. Lepidopteran pests such as Leucinodes
orbonalis and Helicoverpa armigera emerged as the most destructive,
particularly during the flowering and fruiting stages. Sap-sucking pests like Aphis
gossypii, Bemisia tabaci, and Amrasca biguttula were
prevalent across multiple crops but generally remained below threshold levels.
Diversity indices, including the Shannon-Wiener (H′ = 1.79–1.76) and Simpson’s
Index (1−D = 0.83–0.82), indicated moderately high pest diversity and evenness.
Minor pests showed greater species richness but lower evenness, reflecting
uneven distribution. Natural enemies such as parasitoids (e.g., Bracon
spp., Trichogramma spp.) and predators (e.g., Chrysoperla carnea,
Coccinella septempunctata) were also recorded, reinforcing the potential
for biological control. These findings underscore the importance of regular
pest monitoring and ecologically-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
tailored to local conditions for sustainable vegetable production in the
region.
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Pages:8-13
How to cite this article:
Supriya Kumari, Sunil Kumar Singh "Survey-based checklist and insect pest diversity in vegetable cultivation areas around Muzaffarpur, Bihar (India)". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 8-13
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