Diversity of invertebrates under insecticide and biopesticide treatments in Brinjal agroecosystem

In an agroecosystem, knowledge of population ecology of invertebrates is of utmost importance to understand various relationships between crop plants, insects and its natural enemies. The present study was conducted to observe the effect of different biopesticides and insecticides on insect fauna in brinjal crop. Results revealed occurrence of 15 species of phytophagous arthropods belonging to five orders, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Succineidae, being highest from order Hemiptera. Similarly, 12 species of predators belonging to six orders (Araneae, Diptera, Dictyoptera, Neuroptera, Odonata and Coleoptera) were reported being highest in Coleoptera. Lower phytophagous population was recorded in insecticide treated fields as compared to biopesticides and control fields. However, higher predator population was recorded in biopesticide treated fields as compared to insecticide treatments as evidenced by calculation of diversity indices. Thus, the use of biopesticides is the best eco-friendly alternative that reduces phytophagous invertebrate population and encourages population of natural enemies.