Updated checklist and diversity of predatory insect fauna with one first report from Kashmir, India

Abstract

The diversity of predatory insect fauna in nine districts of Kashmir was assessed. Collection was done in agroecosystem with the help of different collecting nets and handpicking methods. As a result of two-year study, a total of 50 species belonging to 14 families and 7 orders were identified. Hierodula patellifera Serville, 1839 of the order Mantodea was reported for the first time from the Kashmir valley. Also, different diversity indices used during the present study revealed the existence of considerable number of predatory species distributed evenly throughout the study area. Diversity of different study sites was correlated by Hutcheson’s t- test. Highest values of diversity indices were observed in the order Coleoptera.