DIVERSITY OF INSECTS IN APTI (KHURD) VILLAGE OF VIKRAMGAD TEHSIL, PALGHAR, M.S., INDIAH.P. Kudu, H.S. Vanmali and S.P. ChaudharyAbstract The field survey was conducted at Apti (Khurd) village located in Vikramgad Tehsil of Palghar District in Maharashtra, India. The study area was divided into five zones: Residential Zone, Agriculture Zone, Streamside Zone, Industrial Zone and Forest Zone. A total of 73 species of insects were sampled which belong to 13 Orders under 39 Families. Sampled insects were distributed on basis of orders, families, zones and habitats. Fastly growing Industrial zone and human anthropogenic activities can badly affect insect diversity and ultimately environment. Invertebrates are more sensitive and quickly affected by changes in the environment than any other taxa. Thus, a strong understanding of insect responses to human activity will be useful to evaluate functional consequences of human disturbance on ecosystems. This attempt will be useful to make aware the authorities specially town planners about rich heritage of this area and to plan scientifically and sustainably. |