Diversity of apoidea (Hymenoptera) from Grassland ecosystem of Jammu (UT of Jammu and Kashmir)

Abstract

Grasslands are a dynamic ecosystem which is extremely important worldwide as they support variety of flora, fauna and in turn humans. They have been origin point of many cultivated food grains, provide forage for livestock, biogeochemical cycling, provide ideal habitat for variety of species for breeding, migrating and flourishing. Hymenoptera play an important role in pollination. They are a diverse and species rich group abundantly found in grasslands. Hymenoptera plays a pivotal role in grasslands ecosystem as they aid in pollination of various wild flora. They prey upon various insect pest species and are themselves preyed upon by insectivorous animals hence helping in completing the food chain. Grasslands of Jammu (in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir) were surveyed for a period of two years and a total of 13 species of Apoidea under 6 genera and 9 subgenera have been identified. Their distribution records along with their material examined are provided. Two species are recorded as new records from Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.