Aquatic Insects of Adhikhola River System in Waling Syangja
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Zoology
Abstract
Insects which spend fully or partially part of their life in water is known as aquatic insect.
Aquatic insects are important part of aquatic ecosystem which play vital role in
ecosystem functioning. Major Orders representing aquatic insects are Ephemeroptera,
Plecoptera, Tricoptera, Odonata, Megaloptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera,
Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera and Collembola. This study was conducted in
Adhikhola River System, Waling, Syangja. Adhikhola River System in Waling consists
of 4 River Mirdi Khola, Armadi Khola, Madi Khola and Adhikhola River of which Mirdi
Khola, Armadi Khola, Madi Khola are tributaries of Adhikhola River. Twelve sampling
site has been ascertained, three sites on each stream on the basis of different habitat
(Forest, Agriculture and Urban). Each site was further divided into 3 point on the basis of
heterogeneity. Insect collection was done by “Sweeping” method for littorial zone,
“1minute kick method by D-Frame kick net for benthic zone, “Sieving” for sandy bottom
of rivers and “All out search” was done for microhabitat. Sampling was done for two
seasons Autumn and Winter. Identification was done by the use of standardized
taxonomic key. A total 45 genera, 31 families and 8 orders were report from different
sites of study area. Among 4 river stream Adhikhola River and Mirdi Khola were highly
abundant followed by Armadi khola and Madi khola was least abundant. Abundance and
Diversity of Insect was seen high in autumn than winter. Habitat wise diversity of Forest
was highest followed by agriculture and Urban was lowest. But no significance difference
was seen in between Seasonal Variation and Habitat Variation of Insect fauna. Insect
Fauna showed significant negative correlation was seen with CO
2
and positive correlation
with alkalinity in autumn. Since Diversity and abundance of insect were seen degrading
in urban areas hence further research should be carried to know the precise condition of
aquatic insect and river.
Description
Keywords
Aquatic insect, Hymenoptera, Epidoptera, Collembola