Aquatic and semi aquatic Hemiptera community of Sonebeel, the largest wetland of Assam, northeastern India

Abstract

Aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera bugs play significant ecological roles, and they are important indicators and pest control agents. Little information is currently available concerning its populations in southern Assam. This study assessed hemipterans in four sites of Sonebeel, the largest wetland in Assam (3458.12 ha at full storage level), situated in Karimganj District. The major inflow and outflow of the wetland are the rivers Singla and Kachua, respectively (the Kachua drains into the Kushiyara River). Samples were trapped with pond nets and were seasonally recorded. This study recorded a total of 28 species of aquatic and semiaquatic hemipterans belonging to 20 genera under nine families. Population, geographical and environmental data (e.g., rainfall) were used to assess the relative abundance of species, species richness and different diversity indices, and species distribution.

Keywords

• distribution
• diversity
• gerromorpha
• nepomorpha
• relative abundance
• richness
• wetland