Diversity and Abundance of Insects at the Campus of Higher Polytechnic Institute of Manica, Mozambique

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess insect diversity and abundance at the Campus of Higher Polytechnic Institute of Manica, Mozambique. Collection of insects was carried out by pitfall traps a long linear transects and sweep nets during 21 days of October 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical and Shannon diversity index. A total of 1780 individuals of insects belonging to 8 orders, 15 families and 27 species were collected. Highest relative abundance was observed in Hymenoptera order (92.64%), and the least were Blattodea (2.70%), Diptera (2.13%), Coleoptera (0.82%), Orthoptera (1.52%), Phasmatodea (0.06%), Mantodea (0.28%) and Hemiptera (0.11%). The abundant specie was Crematogaster peringueyi (Hymenoptera) with 89.83% follwed by Macrotermes natalensis (Blattodea) and Chrysonmya chloropyga (Diptera) with 2.47% and 1.63% respectively. Higher insect diversity was observed in Orthoptera order (Shannon, H'=1.76), while the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Blattodea, Phasmatodea, Hemiptera, had the lowest diversity (Shannon, H'<1). Further work need to be done in the study area, expanding the duration of the study and applying diversity sampling techniques.