Diversity of curculionidae from Kolhapur District Khairmode P.V.#, Gophane A. D.*, Shewale V. S., Santhakumar M.V.*, Sathe T. V.* Department of Zoology, Sadguru Gadage Maharaj College, Karad, Maharashtra *Department of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra #Email: pallavi.khairmode@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online published on 24 October, 2019. Abstract Weevils are important as pests of crops as well as forest plants, as these cause serious damage to various parts of plants, decreases their yield, resulting in losses. Kolhapur district, Maharashtra is situated in the Western Ghats with large agriculture and forest areas. This study evaluated the diversity, seasonal abundance and distribution of weevils in this district. The study accounted for 37 species under 22 genera, of which 16 species have been reported for the first time from the district and 9 species from the Maharashtra state. The analysis of diversity indices revealed that diversity, richness and abundance was more after the rainy season and mainly influenced by temperature. Many species were observed to feed on and causing damage to vegetables, stored grains, cereals, pulses, fibre crops and forest plants. The genus Myllocerus was the most abundant. Various parts of plants damaged have also been observed. Diversity indices calculated for forest and agricultural ecosystems revealed that the diversity in the agricultural areas was richer. Top Keywords Weevils, Kolhapur, diversity, species richness, abundance, damage, families, genera, species, feeding and damage, crops. Top |