The present study was carried out at Organic, Ecological Engineering Research Farm, NIPHM, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during the Kharif and rabi seasons of two consecutive years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 to observe the biodiversity of major insect pests and their natural enemies in the groundnut ecosystem. In the experimental field a total of 10 species of insect pests belonging to different orders and varied families were recorded. The order Lepidoptera showed the highest number of 6 species. This was further followed by Hemiptera (2 species), Thysanoptera (1 species) and Coleptera (1 species). 22 species of predator in 9 different orders and 5 species of parasitoids belonging to Hymenopteran order were found. The study revealed that the natural enemy population in organically maintained ecological engineering field helps in managing insect pests naturally and encourages farmers to choose ecological engineering as key component for sustainable agriculture.

Biodiversity, groundnut, insect pests, predator, parasitoid, ecological engineering, organic

The results of the present study revealed the occurrence of several species of insect pests and their natural enemy population in the groundnut. As groundnut crop ecosystem is ecologically diversified the natural enemy population is more than insect pests and thereby reduce the pest population naturally. Ecologically diversified agro-ecosystem supports conservation of natural enemies which is not only helps in managing insect pests but also helps in rescuing the environment from ill effects of hazardous pesticides which otherwise are used to manage the insect pests.

E. Sree Latha, U. Sai Prasoona and S. Jesu Rajan (2022). Major Insect Pests and their Natural Enemy Biodiversity in Ecological Engineering Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Crop. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 445-448.