Effect of insecticides on distribution, relative abundance, species diversity and richness of syrphid flies in vegetable ecosystem of Kashmir

Abstract

Effect of insecticides on distribution, relative abundance, species diversity and richness of syrphid flies in sprayed and unsprayed vegetable ecosystem of Kashmir were studied during 2013-14 and a total number of 930 specimens and 20 species were collected, out of which, 66.67 % were recorded from unsprayed and 33.33% from sprayed vegetable ecosystem of Kashmir during 2013 and in 2014, a total number of 963 specimens and 20 species were collected, out of which, 71.23% were recorded from unsprayed and 28.77% from sprayed vegetable ecosystem of Kashmir during 2014.During both years, the Eoseristalis cerealis was found most abundant syrphid species followed by Eristalis tenax and Eristalinus aeneus in sprayed unsprayed vegetable crops of Kashmir but their distribution, abundance species diversity and richness were declined in sprayed field due to adverse impact of insecticides. The sprayed vegetable fields exhibited poor species diversity and less distribution of syrphid flies as compared to unsprayed vegetable ecosystem of Kashmir.