DIVERSITY OF INSECT POLLINATORS AND THEIR ABUNDANCE ON Brassica campestris L. (MUSTARD CROPS) IN PANCHKHAL, KAVRE

Abstract

Insect pollination is the most crucial ecosystem service that insects give, resulting in ecosystem sustainability and continuity. The study was conducted to explore the diversity of insect pollinators and their abundance mustard crop; Brassica campestrisin Panchkhal. The study was conducted in the flowering periods of the crops (November, 2019 - January, 2020). A total four sampling plots were as selected sampling sites with each size 10X10 m2 were established with the inter-distance of 100m-200m between two consecutive plots. Insect diversity and individual counts wereconducted in two activation periods(10:00am to 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm). The pollinator insects of the mustard crops- B. compsestrisincluded 15 insect species belonging to four orders, Hymenoptera (38.28%), Diptera (32.75%), Coleoptera(17.93%) and Lepidoptera (11.49%). In terms of species richness of pollinators in both the mustard crop, Lepidopteransdominated the field. However, Hymenopterans were registered highest in context of relative abundance. The most prominent insect pollinators wereApiscerena from the order Hymenoptera (27.49%) whereas the insect pollinators recorded from Lepidoptera Pieriscanidia,andJunonialemoniasdominated the fields. The peak foraging activities of most of insects were observed during day time. This study revealed that the Hymenopterans were the major pollinators followed by Lepidopterans. However, the pollinators would be increase if the disturbances like anthropogenic stresses have been controlled