BIODIVERSITY OF COLLEMBOLA FROM WHEAT FIELD (INSECTA : APTERYGOTA)

The present investigation deals with the biodiversity of Collembola from wheat fields at District Etah (U.P.). Due to their jumping habits, Collembola are called 'springtails." They are small, delicate and soft bodied insects which occur in wet and damp surroundings. Collembolans are also soil microarthropods taking part in decomposition of litter of Indian soil, hence, improving the soil fertility. They infest the human dwellings and economically causing damage certain crops. The present report is a consolidated record of collembolan insects involves 09 new species (sp. nov.) from 08 genera of 03 families viz. Seria blackiata, Cyphoderus stoniculatus. Lepidocyrtinus datalicus, L. moorpuicus. Proisotoma himalayana Bajal. Indotheca maniserata. Sminthurus indraensis. Arrhopalites spanica and Sminthurinus binotatus,