DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF MOSQUITOES (CULICIDAE: DIPTERA) AT MARSHY PLACES IN BADDI, SOLAN, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Marshy places generated by rain water were surveyed in the vicinity of Baddi town in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh for the collection of mosquito larvae and pupae from March to November, 2018. Twenty-four mosquito species belonging to six genera i.e. Anopheles, Culex, Lutzia, Fredwardsius, Mansonia and Rhinoskusea were collected. Culex vishnui was found in all the surveyed sites, whereas Culex quinquefasciatus was the most abundant species (16.3%). Abundance was highest in Tipra (32.1%) and lowest in Karuni (13.7%). Tipra and Sainsiwal had highest species similarity (Jaccard index-0.45 and Sorensen index-0.62), while the lowest species similariy was observed among Nawan Nagar & Katha as well as Karuni & Sainsiwal (Jaccard index-0.142 and Sorensen index-0.25). Species diversity at different sites was quantified by calculating Shannon-Wiener, Simpson & Margalef Richness Indices. High correlation among species richness and abundance was detected (r=0.97, d.f.=4, p< .05).