Species diversity and seasonal dynamics of insects in the high altitude tea estate Uttarkhand, India

Abstract

The study explored the insect communities and their seasonality within tea plantations micro-climate and finds the relatedness of these insects with the environment variables of the terroir. The study carried out at the Ghorakhal Tea Estates of Uttarakhand, collected a total of 2195 insect individuals, belonging to seven orders and 15 families and their population dynamics were measured along with the environmental variables in the estate. The Shannon-Weiver Index (H) indicated moderate species richness (2.94). The most abundant Order was Hymenoptera (30%), followed by Lepidoptera (27%). Family of pollinator bees (24%) and Pierid butterflies (19%) were dominant in the tea plantation area. The highest diversity and evenness of insect communities was observed during the summer season. The study highlights the influence of temperature, air quality, and humidity on the insect population. Canonical Correspondence Analysis suggests a significant relationship between abiotic environmental factors and insect species’ abundance. Distribution of 69.4 per cent was explained by the temperature and humidity, and 30.5 per cent by the air quality. Insect diversity was positively correlated to temperature (0.85) and humidity (0.93) and negatively correlated with air quality (-0.89).