Species richness, density and diversity of acridids in sorghum ecosystem in Southern Rajasthan

Abstract

A total of 10 acridid species from Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and Udaipur and 8 from Chittorgarh district were recorded during 2008–09 and 2009–10, respectively in southern Rajasthan. Among the districts, Dungarpur showed maximum species diversity during both the years with the Shanon Weiner Diversity Index being 2.219 and 2.199, respectively. For rest of the districts, the value obtained as 2.159 to 2.188 except Chittorgarh which was least diverse with the index value of 1.985 and 1.992. Further, a considerable variation was noted in acridid mean and relative density values and population of Hieroglyphus nigrorepletus Bolivar was observed more abundant with a range from 16.30 to 23.58 per cent and 15.76 to 22.02 per cent during both the years followed by Spathosternum prasiniferum Walker but it showed higher relative density at Dungarpur during both the years.