DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF ANIMALS IN WHEAT CROPS

Abstract

Spiders are the most excellent biomarkers and biological control agents worldwide. Spiders have been comprehensively studied in wheat systems, enlightening vast diversity in the nature surroundings. This study was conducted to explore the spider diversity and profusion in wheat crops. In this study, 14 species comprising of 5 families and 8 genera were collected from wheat crop. Sampling was made after the interval of 7 days followed by methods like hand picking, sweep net and pitfall traps. Identification was be made by administrating specimens via proper taxonomical keys. The multiplicity and plenty was examined via suitable statistical analysis. Maximum numbers of spider’s species was recorded in the samples of February and March and the least number of species in the December and January in the wheat field. From Pitfall trap method, 14 families, 8 genera and 1075 individuals were recorded. From sweep net method, 5 families, 7 genera and 13 species were recorded. From hand picking method, 6 families, 10 genera and 13 species were recorded. In this study, three species were found to be dominant as compared to others. The most dominant species by using pitfall trap, hand picking, plant shaking methods and sweep net were C.lyoni, C.maya and P. medius.