Evaluation of Diversity and Abundance of Diptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera in Afuremo, Oye-EgboandFaalex Areas inOye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the diversity and abundance of Diptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera in Afuremo, Oye- Egbo and Faalex areas in Oye- Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria from January to April 2024 using a combination of Sweep net, Pitfall, jarring and Active hunting methods. Data obtained reveals, a total of 333 individuals belonging to 3 orders, 26 families and 40 species were identified from Afuremo, Oye- Egbo and Faalex. Diptera was the most dominant order across the three study areas with 164 individuals. Out of these numbers 96 individuals were obtained from Afuremo, 21 individuals were obtained from Oye-Egbo while 47 individuals were obtained from Faalex.  In Afuremo, Coniceratibialis (Diptera: Phoridae) had the highest relative abundance of 31.25% while both Aedesinfirmatus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Muscadomestica (Diptera: Muscidae) had the lowest relative abundance of 1.04% respectively. However, in Oye-Egbo, Cimexlectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) had the highest relative abundance of 64.29% while Brassolissophorae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Plodiainterpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Lymantriadispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) had the lowest relative abundance of 9.09% respectively. In Faalex, Eupeodesfumipennis (Diptera: Syrphidae) had the highest relative abundance of 68.09% while Limnellaquadrata(Diptera: Ephydidae) had the lowest relative abundance of 2.13%. Oye- Egbo had the highest Shannon, Margalef and Evenness values (1.09, 0.47, 0.99) respectively while Faalex had the lowest Shannon and Evenness values (0.90, 0.82) respectively. The results suggest that Afuremo is a biodiversity hub and has favorable microclimatic condition that ensures the sustenance of Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera.