Published Paper Details:

Ecologically, insects occupy diverse niches and play many different roles important in sustaining the dynamics of ecosystem process. They could be herbivores (some are pests), predators and parasites (maintaining the population dynamics of herbivore insects), pollinators, decomposers and scavengers- each group or species within groups have distinct feeding habit. As such they are closely associated with the habitat and factors within it. It is evident that their impact is considerable, and that the known or potential value stored in their diversity should be preserved for the future. Knowledge of the diversity of insects in agro-ecosystems therefore becomes important. During this century, the practice of irrigating agricultural crops with sewage waters in rural and peri-urban areas of our Country is becoming a common practice. Such agro-ecosystems have low pH and high organic matter and due to accumulation of humus the soil is very good as far as cropping is concerned. In a way, it is natural organic farming. The present work therefore was undertaken to study the insect scenario (diversity and density) in some sewage irrigated agro-ecosystems in and around Bikaner, Rajasthan during an annual cycle documenting the data for seventeen months. In all, of the total 102 insect species noted, most number of 82 insect species was documented during January, May and September and minimum diversity of 54 insect forms was observed in the month of April. Over all, density wise maximum numbers of 670 insects (per trap) were documented during September and minimum density of 222 insects was observed in the month of April.