Species diversity of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the sub-Himalayan and northern plains of India

Abstract

White grubs belonging to subfamilies Melolonthinae and Rutelinae of Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) are ubiquitous pests. Studies during 2013 and 2014 document the species diversity of white grubs in the sub- Himalayan and northern plains of India. Surveys conducted in four states, viz. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan revealed high species diversity representing 65 species under 16 genera. The species richness, evenness and composition varied among the states. Higher species diversity was recorded in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh of the sub-Himalayan region when compared to Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan of the northern plains. The species abundance distribution followed log normal distribution in all places except Uttarakhand, where the curve skewed to the left due to overweight of species with low abundance. The species dominance and abundance patterns in different regions are presented. The new distributional records, Anomala pictipes Arrow and Popillia macclellandi Hope from Uttarakhand, Anomala propinqua Arrow and Popillia marginicollis Hope from Himachal Pradesh and Anomala stenodera Arrow from Uttar Pradesh are provided.