Diversity of insect pollinators in different agro-climatic zones of Haryana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58628/JAE-2622-106Keywords:
Pollinator, diversity, Insect, visitors, HymenopteraAbstract
The present study was undertaken to document the diversity of insect visitors on major crops across different agro‑climatic zones of Haryana, India during 2023-24. Observations revealed a rich assemblage of pollinators, with 18 species recorded on mustard, 12 on seed spices, 12 on berseem, and 13 on sunflower. These visitors represented five major insect orders: Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Among them, Hymenoptera emerged as the dominant group across all crops and regions, underscoring the central role of bees in pollination. In sunflower, Hymenopterans alone accounted for 69.23% of total visitors, highlighting their overwhelming contribution. Key pollinators included Apis mellifera, A. dorsata, A. florea and A. cerana, which were consistently observed across crops. Maximum diversity was recorded in agro‑climatic zone II (Hisar region), suggesting that regional floral resources and climatic conditions strongly influence pollinator abundance. Diversity indices further indicated that berseem supported higher species richness and evenness compared to other crops, reflecting its suitability as a forage source for diverse insect groups. Interestingly, non‑bee insects such as flies and butterflies also contributed to pollination, demonstrating the complementary role of different taxa in sustaining crop productivity. The variation in diversity patterns across crops and zones was largely shaped by the availability of floral resources and prevailing agro‑climatic conditions. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of conserving diverse insect pollinators, particularly Hymenoptera, to enhance pollination services and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity in Haryana’s varied agro‑ecosystems.
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