Seasonal variation of heteroptera community of a Gorewada reservoir, Nagpur (Maharashtra)

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate the heteropteran insect community structure and seasonal variation in the population and its correlation with physico-chemical parameters in the Gorewada reservoir. During present investigation, a total of 8 species of heteroptera representing 05 families and 7 genera were recorded from the Gorewada reservoir in different seasons. Heteropteran families identified during entire study were Corixidae, Gerridae, Notonectidae, Nepidae and Belostomatidae. Eight species of heteroptera recorded were Corixa (Corixidae); Jerris (Gerridae); Notonecta (Notonectidae); Anisops bouvieri (Notonectidae); Nepa (Nepidae); Ranatra lacustri(Nepidae); Ranatra filiformis (Nepidae); Belostoma indicum(Belostomatidae). The α- diversity indices for heteroptera species that are Simpson index, Dominance index, Berger Parker index of dominance, Shannon-Weiner index, Margalef richness index, Menhink index, Equitability index were also calculated to assess the species richness and dominance of the heteroptera. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed that dissolved oxygen of the water was positively correlated with the density of heteroptera taxon in the reservoir. Density of heteroptera was low during winter as compared to the summer and monsoon season. Shannon Weiner diversity index of the resrervoir was in the range of 2.91 to 1.85.