Aquatic Hemiptera inhabiting rice fields in Karaikal, Puducherry, India

Abstract

The present investigation was taken up to record the diversity and abundance of aquatic hemipterans in an irrigated rice ecosystem during kharif 2019 and rabi 2019–2020. The aquatic hemipterans were collected using a D-frame dip net at weekly intervals. This study revealed 21 species under 13 genera and nine families of Hemiptera in irrigated rice fields during kharif 2019 and rabi 2019–2020. Micronecta scutellaris (Stål, 1858) and Anisops sardeus Herrich-Schäffer, 1850 were the dominant species in both seasons. Corixidae and Notonectidae were the most abundant families. Species diversity was maximum in kharif 2019, while species richness was maximum during rabi 2019–2020. Multiple linear regression indicated that all the physicochemical characteristics and weather parameters together were responsible for significant variation in the occurrence of Corixidae (53.60%) and Notonectidae (82.40%). Based on our research, we found that rice fields serve as suitable habitats and play a crucial role in supporting diverse range of aquatic hemipterans.