Biodiversity of Collembola at Varanasi.
Raghuraman M., Yadav R. S., Singh J.
Author Affiliation: Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, India.
Indian Journal of Entomology 72 : 333-336
Abstract : Five vegetational sites namely, (i) mango orchard (Mangifera indica), (ii) bamboo grove (Bambusa sp.), (iii) teak plantation (Tectona grandis), (iv) floral garden (Tabernaemontana coronaria) and (v) grassy field were explored at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi with the objective of studying collembolan diversity as it may help in identifying soil health of agroecosystems. From 855 soil samples extracted through modified Tullgren's funnel, 1789 Collembola belonging to 18 genera were identified. The highest mean relative abundance (23.90%) was found in floral garden (Tabernaemontana coronaria) whereas, minimum abundance (16.55%) was found in grassy field. The months of July to September and January were peak periods of population. Isotumurus sp. was the most abundant species followed by Entomobrya sp., Cyphoderus sp. and Lepidocyrtus sp.