INSECT POLLINATOR ASSEMBLAGE ON TEMPERATE FRUIT CROPS IN KUMAUN HIMALAYA

Abstract

Kumaun Himalaya harbors a number of temperate fruits crops such as apple, peach, apricot, plum, pear and kiwi that support the fruit growers of the Uttarakhand state. The present study was conducted in temperate fruit orchards located in hills of Nainital district of Kumaun Himalayan region of Uttarakhand state. Information on the distribution of insect pollinators led to many important details. A total of 92 species insect pollinators under 59 genera of 25 families and four orders were recorded. Lepidoptera was the most dominant order whereas Coleoptera was the least dominant. The results revealed that Apis cerana F. was the most abundant species. As per Margalef’s index, species richness of pollinators was observed to be maximum in apple.