Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(6): 490-497 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 Distribution pattern of foliage insects among the JEZS 2017; 5(6): 490-497 © 2017 JEZS summer vegetables viz. okra, brinjal and tomato Received: 10-09-2017 Accepted: 15-10-2017 Naureen Rana Naureen Rana, Tehmina Amin, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Shahla Nargis, Department of Fisheries and Somia Afzal and Saira Fatima Zoology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Abstract The vegetables are excellent source as human food and nutrition since immemorial time. Okra, brinjal Tehmina Amin and tomato are important and indigenous vegetable crops of Pakistan. Varieties of foliage insects invade Department of Fisheries and these vegetable fields and play role positively or negatively. Hence, the present research work was Zoology, University of conducted to record the distribution pattern of foliage insects among the summer vegetables viz. okra Agriculture, Faisalabad, (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Pakistan under the ecological conditions of district Faisalabad (Punjab), Pakistan along the whole season. Among tomato fields, total 108 species were recorded belonging to 09 orders, 56 families and 100 genera; while Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Department of Fisheries and among brinjal fields, total 107 species were recorded belonging to 11 orders, 52 families and 100 genera; Zoology, University of whereas among okra fields, total 96 species were recorded belonging to 10 orders, 48 families and 88 Agriculture, Faisalabad, genera. Among these three vegetable fields, total 7773 specimens were collected during entire sampling Pakistan and maximum population was recorded from okra fields 44.77% (N = 3480); followed by brinjal fields 31.20% (N = 2425) and least population was recorded from tomato fields 24.03% (N = 1868). Wherein Shahla Nargis in case of okra fields, maximum population was recorded during 2nd sampling (704±292.74), followed by Department of Fisheries and 609±225.57 (5th sampling), 416±89.10 (1st sampling), 367±54.45 (10th sampling) and so on. Whereas, Zoology, University of species abundance was recorded utmost in 2nd sampling (38) species at temperature 41 ºC and 27% Agriculture, Faisalabad, relative humidity. In case of brinjal fields, maximum population was recorded during 11th sampling Pakistan (871±473.00), followed by 270±48.02 (10th sampling), 207±3.48 (8th sampling), 188±9.96 (9th sampling) and so on. Whereas, species abundance was recorded maximum in 10th sampling (33) species at Somia Afzal temperature 28ºC and 92% humidity. In case of tomato fields, maximum population was recorded during Department of Fisheries and 9th sampling (325±120.03), followed by 187±22.45 (6th sampling), 178±16.09 (12th sampling), 160±3.36 Zoology, University of th th Agriculture, Faisalabad, (7 sampling) and so on; wherein species abundance was recorded utmost in 9 sampling (35) species at Pakistan temperature 34ºC and 62% humidity. ANOVA among three vegetables (brinjal, okra and tomato) showed non-significant results (F = 0.17; P = 0.8460). Saira Fatima Department of Fisheries and Keywords: foliage insects, summer vegetables, temperature and humidity Zoology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Introduction Pakistan Insects comprise 75 % of total arthropods and out of which, almost 1.5 million of species are [29] identified as arthropods with multi-type habitats , they show fluctuation in diversity and abundance with minor change in abiotic factor e.g. temperature and humidity. Physical characters e.g. size, life cycle, habitat and trophic status also depend upon these factors [1]. In Asia, average vegetable production contributes almost 218 million tons, highest of which is produced in China, India and Pakistan. These are categorized as leafy, stem and fruit [6] vegetables . During present decade, in Pakistan, almost 3,460,000 ha area is under cultivation for vegetables and almost 13.7 million tonnes edible vegetables are cultivated in Pakistan per annum4 which are classified as Rabi (winter) and Kharif (summer) according to growing season; and almost sixty three species are produced and utilized as winter and summer vegetables [9] e.g. Brinjal, Tomato, Ladyfinger, Pumpkin, Luffa, Bitter gourd, Cucumber, [28] Cauliflower and Pea, etc. All these are good source of both nutrition and economy , but 90% [2, 7] of their production is affected due to vulnerably of nuisance and related diseases . Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaeceae) is an edible vegetable in Pakistan having Correspondence perennial nature with hairy leaves, with variability in shape, height and color of pod etc. For Naureen Rana proper development and pod growth, it demands high temperature [30]. Its cultivation covers an Department of Fisheries and [7] Zoology, University of area of about 14780 ha in Pakistan, with annual yield of about 1, 11, 565 tonnes , and in Agriculture, Faisalabad, Punjab, cultivated over 4.3 ha with 43.4 tonnes production; and is indigenous to Asia, Africa Pakistan and Australia [26], and rich source of lipids, protein, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, retinol and ~ 490 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, . Direct hand picking method phosphorus, manganese and copper [21]. However, its . By using Sweep Net production is largely affected by the insect pests [38], which are . By using Forceps causing severe damage by sucking sap, pod destruction and Collection was made from 06:00 am to 08:00 am; temperature injecting their poison into plant parts [23]; which destroy its and humidity of area were also recorded as per objectives. foliage at every stage of development [14]. Damage due to Collected specimens were stored in jars containing 70:30% insect pests is recorded up to 25-55% from pre-harvest to alcohol and glycerin solution and shifted to Biodiversity post-harvest stage which can result in severe income losses to Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, small scale farmers [41]. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad for further systematic Brinjal “Egg Plant”, Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae) is studies. Here, the specimens were separated and preserved in grown both at small home gardens and at large commercial separate glass vials containing 70:30% alcohol and glycerin level. In Asia, it is cultivated over an area of 6, 78,000 ha, solution. with a annual production of about 10.50 million tonnes which is about 37% of the world eggplant area [16]. It contains 92.7% Identification water, 1.1% protein and 0.02% carbohydrate and contains The collected specimens were sorted and identified with the energy contents in calories about 13016, and it is rich source aid of: of vitamin A and B. It also contains nutrients such as folate, . Microscope dietary fiber, ascorbic acid, vitamin K, niacin, vitamin B6, . Naked eye pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, . Magnifying glass phosphorus and copper [46]. It acts as preventive agent against These specimens were identified up to species level with the many diseases as malfunction of liver, diabetes curing, aid of identification keys and description available in reliever against swelling and also a excellent appetizer35. But, literature and on the internet search engines [11]. Glass vials this vegetable is damaged by numerous insect pests from were labeled accordingly containing the date of collection, sowing stage till harvesting [5]. locality name, common name, scientific name specimens, Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae) is an temperature, humidity and trophic status (food web status and important vegetable grown all over the world and is main related issues) [41, 43]. source of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta- carotene and natural potassium. Medically, it has the ability to reduce the Results and Discussion inflammation and minimize the risk of stroke [44]. Its vitamins A stable ecosystem is maintained by interactions of many contents have great potential to control diabetes, colon cancer inter dependent species45 and resulting food web is a key and inflammatory diseases [22]; along this, they also act as indication of stability status which demonstrate feeding antioxidant to fight against many infections. It also contains relationships between these communities [10]. This association Niacin, vitamin K and B6 and they together control is recorded very complex in vegetable crop fields. Wherein in cholesterol level. It provides favorite host site to various connection to vegetable life histories, insects are key motor of insects and they damage all parts of this vegetable, as it an ecosystem function and they can live in various ecological provides protection, shelter, food and reproduction site to circumstances e.g. peak, plus or negative temperature, them [3]. humidity, and desiccation [18]. Ecological co-relation toward Information about ecology and distribution of invading their diversity and density for primary production and ideal insects is milestone to formulate any strategy regarding their ecosystem functioning have been acknowledged by many management [31, 42, 48] – because co-existing of balanced researchers [2, 13, 27, 34, 40]. Keeping in view all these facts, the population of foliage insects can safeguard production of present research work was conducted to record the these vegetables. So, the present study was designed to record distribution pattern of foliage insects among the summer the distribution pattern of foliage insects