Diversity and abundance of insects in cotton crop land of Punjab, Pakistan

Cotton crops have central role in Pakistan’s economy. Cotton belongs to Kingdom plantae, Family Malvacea and genus Gossypium. Gossypium arboretum species of cotton is cultivated in Pakistan. Macro invertebrates are organisms that lack spine and large enough to seen with the naked eye. The present research is performed to check the diversity and abundance of different insects on cotton crop from two districts of province Punjab, Pakistan. Sampling was done from Multan and Faisalabad. The specimens were collected through the use of hand net bowl trap and sweep net. A total no 38 species, 9 orders and 25 families were identified. Specimens were identified by using taxonomic keys. Shannon Weiner diversity index was used to analyze the data. 38 species were identified from Multan belonging to 9 orders and 190 specimens whereas 34 species collected from Faisalabad belong to 9 order, 25 families and 300 specimens. The Shannon Weiner diversity index value of macro invertebrates on cotton crop of Multan was calculated as H’=1.37%, E=0.99% and of Faisalabad it was H’=1.33%, E=0.96%.