Periodic prevalence, relative abundance and diversity assessment of fruit sucking moth in Nagpur mandarin ecosystem

Abstract

The present investigation on abundance and diversity of fruit sucking moth from Nagpur mandarin orchards were carried out at 9 agroecological areas of Vidarbha region from Maharashtra state (India) and the periodic prevalences was recorded at AICRP on fruits, Dr. PDKV., Akola during 2021-22 and 2022-23. The moths were collected in the ripening season (September to October), out of the total collected moths from each location Eudocima materna was discovered to be one of the most prevalent species with 82.85% abundance, however, other two species i.e. E. fullonia (12.39%) and E. homaena (4.93%) recorded comparatively low abundances. There was the most diversity in the Morshi and Katol regions, followed by Amravati. However, Shannons index of diversity was maximum in Amravati followed by Akola. Arvi had the highest Simpson index, followed by Katol area, indicating the least amount of diversity among fruit-sucking moths. The fruit sucking moth's greatest activity was recorded during the month of 2nd fortnight of October (296.2 catches/ traps) which was coincided with the colour breaking stage of mandarin. The maximum temperature was positively non-significant, whereas morning and evening relative humidity, minimum temperature and rainfall showed non-significant negative correlation. Sunshine hours showed highly significant negative correlation and wind speed showed significantly positive correlation with FSM.