A comparative study of insect fauna in agroecosystem and agroforest ecosystem in Narsapur of Medak district, Telangana

Research on arthropod diversity in agroforestry systems is limited, especially in Telangana. This study was an attempt to establish a baseline insect diversity comparison between agroecosystem (Monocrop rice) and agroforest ecosystem (Rice + teak). A study was conducted during Kharif 2024 from July to November to document insect abundance and diversity in both conventional monocrop rice and rice crop bordered with teak plantations in selected farmer’s field of Narsapur (Thirumalapur village) of Medak district using various trapping methods viz., Pitfall trap, Visual count, Sweep net and Yellow sticky trap. A total of 3,220 individuals of 35 families from Nine insect orders and Araneae group of which 1,458 individuals from agroecosystem and 1,762 individuals from agroforest ecosystem were recorded. In both the ecosystems, of all orders recorded, most numerous individuals were reported from order Hymenoptera while least from the order Mantodea with sweep net being the most effective method of insect collection. Also, agroforest ecosystem record slightly a greater number of individuals than agroecosystem due to diverse habitat and stable ecosystem provided for survival of insects.