Diversity of Insect Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Lowland Rice Agroecosystem of Nagaland

A field study was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 rice-growing seasons across three lowland rice cultivation sites—Singrijan, Medziphema, and Kuhoxu in Nagaland—to assess the diversity and abundance of insect pests and their natural enemies. A total of 32 insect pest species were documented representing 28 genera, 16 families, and five insect orders (Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera, and Thysanoptera). Additionally, 57 species of natural enemies were recorded, spanning 42 genera, 19 families, and 10 insect orders, along with 6 species from the class Arachnida (Araneae). Eight insect specimens remained unidentified. Diversity analysis revealed site-specific variations, with Medziphema exhibiting the highest insect pest diversity, while Singrijan showed the highest diversity of natural enemies. Despite these differences, overall alpha, beta, and gamma diversity metrics indicated low species turnover among the study sites, suggesting high similarity and a stable ecological balance within the rice agroecosystem.