DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS IN AND AROUND FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

This study investigated the diversity and abundance of insects in and around the Faculty of Agriculture, aiming to understand their distribution, functional roles, and ecological significance. Insects were sampled across three habitat types: bushy vegetation, garden areas, and cultivated farmlands using sweep nets, pitfall traps, and direct observation. Collected specimens were identified to the order level and classified based on ecological function as beneficial or harmful. A total of 120 insects, comprising 15 species across six orders, were recorded. Hymenoptera was the most dominant order (29.2%), followed by Coleoptera (20.8%) and Diptera (16.7%), while Lepidoptera and Orthoptera were less abundant. Bushy vegetation supported the highest insect abundance (41.7%), garden areas had 33.3%, and cultivated farmlands had the lowest (25.0%), indicating that habitat disturbance negatively affects insect populations. Functional classification revealed that beneficial insects accounted for 65% of the population, highlighting their role in pollination and natural pest control. Diversity indices indicated moderate to high species diversity, with the Shannon-Wiener index (H' = 2.30) and Simpson's index (D = 0.88), suggesting a stable and resilient ecosystem. The findings demonstrate that habitat heterogeneity and reduced anthropogenic disturbance are critical for maintaining insect diversity and ecological balance. Conservation of semi-natural vegetation, adoption of agroecological practices, and integrated pest management are recommended to sustain insect-mediated ecosystem services.