Entomophily of Apple ecosystem in Kashmir valley, India: A review (original) (raw)

A Preliminary Study on Insect Pollinators in Apple Crop in Different Geographical Zones of Himachal Pradesh

2020

Pollination is an important service of the regulation, promotion and cultural environment (Chagnon et al., 2015). It involves an integrated interaction framework that connects the vegetation of the earth, wildlife and human welfare (Kevan and Menzel, 2012). For the setting of fruits and seeds, many crops and wild plants need pollination. Pollination is the active and passive transfer within or between flowers of pollen (biologically speaking: transporting pollen from the output of anther to receiving the stigma of anthers). Pollination offers an important ecosystem service that contributes to biodiversity conservation and ensures the survival of species of plant, including crops. One can thank a bee, butterfly, bat, bird or other pollinator for one out of every three bites eaten. Any loss of biodiversity is a matter of public concern, but the loss of pollinating insects can be particularly disturbing due to the potential impact on plant reproduction and, therefore, on food security....

The pollinators of apple orchards of Kashmir valley (India) (distributional diversity

2015

Studies were undertaken to explore the diversity of pollinators from agro ecosystems of Kashmir Himalaya comprising the Apple orchards at different altitudes from 1300 m MSL in district Baramulla to 2350 m MSL in district Shopian. Field experiments were conducted on 51 commercial fruit orchards at in three main apple producing districts viz. Baramulla, Pulwama and Shopian. A total of 970 Specimens were collected during the bloom period of Apple (March-April) in the year 2012-2013 belonging to two main insect orders Hymenoptera and Diptera. The calculated values of all diversity indices showed that the lowest diversity among hymenopterans was found in district Baramulla while as the highest diversity was found in district Shopian in orchards located in the karewas. Among Dipterans the lowest again was found in district Baramulla and the highest diversity was found in district Shopian. Among the hymenopterans Lasioglossum nursei dominated the scene with highest diversity in all the three districts. Among dipterans particularly in the family Syrphidae the highest diversity in district Pulwama was that of Metasyrphus bucculatus, in district Shopian that of Eristalis tenax and in district Baramulla that of Episyrphus balteatus. The undisturbed surroundings in orchards offered a good refuge to native pollinators compared to those orchards with clean cultivation. A total of 64 species of flowering plants were identified that act as a source of pollen and nectar during and the after bloom period of Apple.

Effect of Changing Landscapes on Diversity, Distribution and Relative Abundance of Insect Pollinators on Apple Crop in Northwest Himalayas

2015

Pollinator diversity studies were conducted on apple bloom in terms of diversity, distribution and relative abundance of insect pollinators, in twenty orchards located at different landscapes of Kullu hills of the Northwest Himalayas. Apple orchards were selected in such a manner that, of these, ten were far away from the natural habitat (i.e. forest), whereas, other experimental orchards were located nearer to natural habitat.These studies revealed that apple flowers were visited by 44 species of insects belonging to 6 orders and 18 families of class Insecta. Hymenopterans and dipterans were the most abundant insect pollinators on apple bloom in all the experimental orchards. Relative abundance studies indicated that Indian hive bee, A. cerana was the most abundant insect visitors to this crop followed by European bee, A. mellifera. However, relative abundance of wild bees was comparatively less in orchards away from natural habitat than those nearer to it. Besides hymenopterans an...

Pollinating insects of some economically important plants of Kolhapur region, India

The area of pollinator dependant crops is increasing disproportionately and crop pollinators are under threat of pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture farming. Therefore, there is need to make the survey of pollinating insects from Kolhapur region of India since this area is agriculturally very sound which contain very rich biodiversity. A total of 30 species of pollinating insect belonging to the five orders viz. Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Thysanoptera have been reported. Maximum pollinating visits have been made by Apis dorsata and least by Chrysotoxum sp. on crop plants in the region. The order of dominant pollinator was Hymenptera> Lepidoptera> Diptera>Coleoptera>Thysanoptera.

Insect-Pest Complex and Integrated Pest Management on Apple in Jammu and Kashmir, India

2018

Jammu and Kashmir is the largest producer of apple in the country because of its best temperate climate suited for its production as compared to the rest of the Indian Union. The history of apple cultivation in Kashmir is traced to the old literature. With the introduction of exotic varieties of apple in Kashmir valley, new insect pests emerged, which include San Jose scale, European red mite, Codling moth and Woolly apple aphid. The establishment of these pests and subsequent losses made by these pests are alarming to the fruit growers. These pests cause losses both directly and indirectly. The direct losses are the reduction in fruit damage, quality and quantity of apple fruits and indirect losses are the costs incurred for their management. Due to the lack of well-organized and a precise quarantine system for insect pests of apple in India, the exotic pests are of major concern. Although thrips, leaf rollers and tussock moth also infest apple in Jammu and Kashmir, the losses by t...

Study on the biodiversity of insects in apple in mid hills of Meghalaya

2020

NorthEastern hills region of India is very rich in fertile soil, biodiversity and conducive agro-climatic conditions that make them ideal for the production of horticultural crops. The present investigation was carried out to study the biodiversity of insects in apple in mid hills of Meghalaya during the year, 2018. Based on taxonomic classification, the insect species were placed into 7 different orders viz. Coleoptera (17), Hemiptera (11), Lepidoptera (6), Diptera (4), Hymenoptera (3), Dermeptera (1) and Orthoptera (1). Major insect pests recorded were Green apple aphid, Pale tussock moth, Tussock caterpillar, Giant looper and Cocoa tussock caterpillar and remaining 21 species as minor insect pests. Natural enemies observed were Parasitic braconid wasp, pupal parasitoid, Tachnid fly, Syrphid fly (maggots), Assassin bug, Earwig and four different species of Coccinellid beetles. Honey bees and Hoverfly visited as pollinators on few apple flowering plants. Also five insect species viz. Litchi trunk borer, Aquatic fire fly, Indian fire fly, Rice earhead bug and Melon fruit fly were found to be occasional visitors on apple plants. The findings obtained during the course of study will be helpful in understanding the biodiversity of insect fauna associated with apple plants and therefore having implications for taxonomy and pest management in apple particularly for this region.

Review on insect pollinators of fruit crops

Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 2023

Pollinator play a very significant role in pollination of angiosperms. Many fruit crops require an insect pollinators for the pollination so that the yield of crops is increased. Fruit crop having a large group of pollinators, increases its quality and quantity of fruit production. These pollinators belong to different insect order like Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera etc which plays significant role in both the process of pollination. It is essential know the importance of pollinator species, their abundance in their natural habitat, and their involvement in crop improvement.

Insect pollinators of peach Prunus persica in landscapes of Temperate India

2017

The current studies were carried out in temperate conditions of Kashmir valley during 2013-2015. The patches of fruit crop selected were located in different types of landscape categories. Highest species richness of 46 was observed in landscapes of Budgam, belonging to 5 orders, 31 families and 20 genera of class Insecta. Of all these insects, genus Lasioglossum was most abundant flower visitor followed by comparatively less abundant genera Xylocopa spp. Andrena spp. Megachile spp. Syrphus spp. and Musca spp. The minimum value of Simpson diversity index, Shannon diversity indices and Simpson’s dominance were 5.415, -6.056 and 0.8115, respectively in district Srinager. The species richness of pollinators varies from minimum of 32 (Srinager) to maximum of 46 (Budgam). The equitability of species varies from minimum of 0.718 in Srinager to maximum of 0.931 on in Pulwama. The Pielou’s evenness, Nakamaru’s richness, Menhinick’s and Margalef’s varies across the different landscapes. Spec...

Occurrence of insect and mite pests and their natural enemies under high density apple agro-ecosystems in Kashmir

2021

The microclimate under high density apple orchard ecosystems is different from traditional apple orchards. Hence the insect and mite pest incidence and their natural enemies may also be different. Therefore, the field experiments were carried out at three different locations at Ambri Apple Research Center, Pahnoo and two farmer’s fields at Mohandpora, and Tharen, Shopian Kashmir during 2018 and 2019. During the period of study, eleven insect pest species were found associated with apple at all three locations, which belong to four orders viz. Hemiptera (Aphis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Anuraphis sp. Quadraspidiotus perniciosus and Halyomorpha hayla), Lepidoptera (Archips termias, Malacosoma indicum and Lyonetia clerkella) and Coleoptera (Scolytus nitidus, Adoretus simplex and Altica spp). In addition to insect pests, two mite species Panonychus ulmi and Tetranychus urticae were also found associated with apple. Among the pests, Aphis pomi, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus and Panonychus u...