Assessing the Impact of Insect Pest Biodiversity on the Ecological Footprint of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Cultivation in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Assessing the Impact of Insect Pest Biodiversity on the Ecological Footprint of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Cultivation in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Ehsan Maqbool1*, Muhammad Nadeem Mushtaq1, Tamathues2, Khadija Tul Kubra1, Arish Zulfiqar1, Muhammad Shoaib Sarwar1, Zeeshan Yousaf3, Mudassar Yaseen1, Farwa Nosheen3
ABSTRACT
Abstract | In Pakistan, the main cause of poor production of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is due to different insect pests. The current study was conducted in Faisalabad, Punjab Pakistan to evaluate the diversity of different insect species in the okra crop. A total of 2613 specimens belonging to 19 species and 6 orders were collected with different methods. Most species (9) belong to the order Hemiptera, four species from Lepidoptera, three species from Coleoptera, and one species each from Diptera, Orthoptera, and Thysanoptera. Amrasca biguttula biguttula (31.38%) was dominant species throughout the study period followed by Aphis gossypii (12.39%), Podagrica sp. (10.98%), Bemisia tabaci (9.45%), Syllepte derogate (8.30%), Mylabris pustulata (7%), Phenacoccus solenopsis (4.17%), Thrips tabaci (3.52%), Dysdercus cingulatus (3.44%), Earias vittella (1.91%), Helicoverpa armigera (1.53%), Liriomyza trifolii (1.37%), Spodoptera litura (0.91%), Ricania speculum (0.84%), Menida histrio (0.76%), Nezara viridula (0.61%), Monolepta signata (0.57%), Atractomorpha crenulata (0.49%), Leptocentrus taurus (0.42%). Applying the shannon and simpson diversity index revealed notable variations throughout the okra crops. Such investigations are required in order to build integrated pest management (IPM) programs to control these economically important pests.
Novelty Statement | The current study represents the relationship between insect pest diversity and sustainable growth of the okra crop. It also fills a critical study gap by examining the impact of insect pests on this crop and promoting the development of new pest control techniques.
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