New Horizons in Biotechnology

[Research Article]
INSECT FAUNA OF MANGROVES OF NELLORE DISTRICT, SOUTH COASTAL
ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
Rajasekhar M1, Chakrapani IS2*, Srinivasulu A3 and Nagendra Prasad SV4
1

Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi 517 502, India

Department of Zoology, SKR Govt. Degree College, Gudur, SPSR Nellore Dist.
3
Department of Botany, Govt. Degree College, Naidupet, Nellore dist.
4
Department of Zoology, PRR & VS Govt. Degree College, Vidavalur, SPSR Nellore Dist.
*Correspondence: is_chakrapani@yahoo.com
Cite this article as:
Rajasekhar M, Chakrapani IS, Srinivasulu A and Nagendra Prasad SV (2015). Insect Fauna of Mangroves of Nellore district,
south coastal Andhra Pradesh, India. In: New Horizons in Biotechnology. (Eds. Viswanath B and Indravathi G)
Paramount Publishing House, India, pp. 312-316.
2

Information and studies on the mangrove ecosystems of South Costal Andhra Pradesh are scanty, unlike those of North Coastal
Andhra Pradesh. SPSR Nellore district and Prakasam district form the south coast of Andhra Pradesh. Swarnamukhi, Pennar and
Kandaleru and other streams form estuaries in Nellore district, where the size and density of mangroves vary. Mangroves are
surveyed in select locations of Nellore district with reference to the occurrence of true mangroves, mangrove associates and
insect fauna in particular. High abundance of insects in mangroves is a testimony of their importance in mangrove litter
formation and recycling of nutrients in mangrove ecosystem. Insect faunal diversity in relation to mangrove density of Nellore
district is documented. A total of 90 insect species belonging to 46 families are identified. Thermal pollution caused by mini
power plants during the recent years, and port activities at Krishnapatnam are posing a great threat to Nellore mangroves, in
addition to the indiscriminate use of for aquaculture, saltpans and firewood. Insect faunal diversity in relation to the mangroves
is presented in this paper, in the light of new threats from aquaculture and thermal pollution, and port activities.
Keywords: Mangroves; Insects; Estuarine ecosystem; Andhra Pradesh.
INTRODUCTION:
Mangroves exist in tropical and semi-tropical intertidal
regions of the world. They are salt water tolerant ecosystems.
The total area of mangroves in India is estimated at 6740Km2
which contributes 7% of the worlds total [1]. The luxurious
growth of mangroves across the Indian coast is rich in species
diversity. After Sunderbans in West Bengal, Mahanadi
mangroves, coastal Andhra Pradesh offers a very good shelter
for mangroves [2]. North coast of Andhra Pradesh harbours
mangroves to an extent of 265 Km2 which includes the
Coringa Mangroves. South coast of Andhra Pradesh consisting
of SPSR Nellore and Prakasam districts also provides good
shelter for mangroves and associated floral and faunal
diversity to an extent of 168 Km2. In Nellore district, from
north to south, there are Pennar, Kandaleru and Swarnamukhi
estuaries, where mangroves of different size and density
occur. In Prakasam district, Gundlakamma, Musi, Paaleru and
Maaneru rivers bring nutrients for sustenance of mangroves at
coastal regions.
Among animals, insects are the only class so intimately
involved in the complexities of the biological world. They are
highly abundant in mangroves even, which confirms their
importance in litter formation and nutrient recycling in
mangrove ecosystems. Energy flow and turnover rate of
nutrients in mangrove inshore systems is increased by
recurrent attacks by insects[3] which feed on the leaves, buds,
stem, bark and other parts of the flora[4]. Mangrove
ecosystem offers certain difficulties for faunal studies.
Mangrove insects are difficult to sample and are poorly known
taxonomically. A wide range of taxa contribute to mangrove
insects, and often many developmental stages occur in a
sample procured, which are difficult to indentify. Mangrove

insects were studied earlier from South East Asis[5], Malaysia

[6,7] Thailand [8] and India[9].
Review of literature shows that there is scanty information on
mangroves of south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Considerable
work has been done on the mangrove floral diversity along the
Andhra Pradesh coast elsewhere [10,11,12,13], but not on
insect fauna of Andhra Pradesh mangroves. As part of the
survey work undertaken in Prakasam and Nellore districts, the
insect faunal diversity of mangroves of Nellore district is
presented in this paper.
STUDY AREA AND GEOGRAPHYICAL FEATURES:
Nellore District is the Southernmost Coastal District of
Andhra Pradesh. It lies between 13-30 and 15-6 of the
Northern latitude and 70-5 and 80-15 of the Eastern
Longitude. It is bound on the north by Prakasam District, on
the East by Bay of Bengal, on the South by Chittoor District
and Chengalpattu District of Tamilanadu and on the West by
Velikonda Hills which separate it from Kadapa District
(Figure 1). The eastern half of the District adjoining coastal
belt is fairly fertile and the western half of the district has low
elevation towards west with large track of low shrub jungles
diversified with rocky will stony plains. Maximum
temperature ranges between 40-43oC during May, the hottest
month in summer. Temperature is minimum during December,
ranging from 17-30oC. Pennar, Kandaleru, Swarnamukhi are
the main rivers irrigating the crop lands besides a number of
other rivulets and creeks. All these run through the mudflats
and merge with the Bay of Bengal at many places. Mangroves
are formed along the course, surrounding areas of which are
well inhabited by fishermen in a number of hamlets and
villages present.

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METHODS:
Field survey was conducted during the period from 2012-2013
to evaluate the floral and insect faunal diversity of mangroves
in Nellore district. The areas were visited occasionally to
determine accessibility and suitability to survey. Five areas
were identified as field stations:
1. Sriharikota
2. Duggarajupatnam
3. Krishnapatnam
4. Iskapalli
5. Utukuru
6. Annagaripalem
Distribution pattern, frequency and abundance of flora and
fauna were invented. The upper reaches were surveyed by foot
on the muddy flats. The lower and middle reaches were
surveyed in a shallow boat through the channels. Transects
were used along the gradients of mudflats, creeks and
channels to assess the plant species. Ground dwelling insect
fauna and insect borers were obtained by hand searching.
Insects too active to capture were estimated by naked eye.
They were identified with the help of Zoology Department,
S.V.University, Tirupati. Other wild life fauna was evidenced
by direct observations and indirectly through their tracks,
faecal droppings, pug marks and hair samples etc. The
evidence of other wildlife fauna was documented with the help
of an Olympus full HD stylus digital camera.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION:
Mangroves play an important role in soil binding, as a source
of nutrient recycling, breeding ground and nursery areas for
many important fin and shell fishes. In our survey, the
following insects were encountered in Nellore mangroves.
In the present study, 90 species of insects (Table-1) were
identified from the field stations in Nellore district mangroves.
All these insets identified in association with the mangroves
belong to 8 orders and 46 families. Out of the total number of
insects identified, 70 were identified up to species level, 20 up
to the genus level. 4 insects were identified to be anisopterids
belonging to odonata, but could not be identified specifically.
Of all the insects identified, those belonging to Coleoptera
are dominant (26%) (Figure 2&3) represented by 23 species.
28% of the families identified belong to coleoptera
.Lepidopterans (21 species belonging to 8 families) and
Hymenopterans (14 species belonging to 9 families) are also
dominant as reported by Santhakumaran [14]. Isoptera is the
least represented with 2 species identified.

Coleopterans are the dominant species of Nellore district

mangroves as indicated by the present study. In Avicennia,
Necrophorus sp. is common. Wood boring insects like
Trichobaris are common in Excoecaria agallochi vegetation.
The chewing mouth parts and long snout of coleopterans is an
adavantage for these insects to feed up on the interior tissues
and to make deep holes in the wood for oviposition.
Dominance of Lepidopteran insects in mangroves is
documented in Pichavaram of Tamilnadu . Butterflies and
moths help in pollination and these insects depend upon the
mangroves during their developmental stages. Leaves and
buds of mangroves form very good feed for the voracious
lepidopterans.
Among the hymenopterans, Apis florida and Apis dorsata
are commonly found in mangroves. Apis mellifera are also
known to be observed here and there along the south coast, but
we could not confirm its presence in Nellore mangroves. We
could observe the nests of the mining bee Andren wikella, the
leaf cutting bee Megachile latimans and the carpenter bee
Xylocopa were largely observed on woods of Excoecaria
agallocchi. Polistes is the common wasp we could find,
largely in Avicennia trees.
Thief ants Solenopsis sp. construct nests in decaying
woods of Excoecearia agallocchi. Carpenter ants Componatus
sp. are also found in the same woods. Hemepteran bugs are
mainly terrestrial. Few are aquatic and semi-aquatic. Some
unidentified species are found to colonize on the lower leaf
surface of Excoecearia agallocchi. Parasitic insects include
Triatoma sp., Hemicocephalis basalis and Leptocorisa.

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Loccotrephus sp. was observed to be dwelling semi-aquatic

exports. The other side of this coin projects a gloomy picture,
mangrove habitat.
development of aquaculture ponds off-shore at the cost of
Rhyotherus varigata is of common occurrence among the
agricultural lands and mangrove areas proved to be a great
odonates, as observed elsewhere in the south coastal
threat to mangrove biodiversity as well as to the associated
mangroves of India.Significant pests on mangrove woods
flora and fauna. Studies on Nellore mangroves are as such
include the orthopterans, mainly the Neoconocephalus sp., and
scanty, and the field surveys as to determine the extent of
Paraterettix cuculatus. Dead mangrove woods are colonized
mangrove vegetation, loss of vegetation faunal diversity over a
by the isopterans whcich increase detritus formation. Culex
period of time are lacking. Entire Nellore coast is full with
sp., Anopheles sp., and Aedes sp. are the common mosquitoes
aquaculture ponds, majority of which receive brackish water
observed in mangrove areas. The blood sucker dipteran
lifted up from the creeks. The pollutants from these ponds are
Tabanus striatus is also noteworthy in mangrove vegetation.
indiscriminately shunted into the creeks which causes damage
to mangrove vegetation. Heaps of silica left aside over
ANTHRPOGENIC THREATS:
The mangrove trees and shrubs define a traditional resource
mudflats, fly ash from thermal power stations and invasion of
base for the local people and form a subsistence economy[15].
alien plants like Prosopis are the potential causes for loss of
For centuries together, these mangroves formed a good shelter
mangrove vegetation. During the past two or three years,
for fauna also. In the recent times, they are threatened with
Kandaleru creek has been under immense biotic interference
destruction and loss of their associated biodiversity due to
due to Krishnapatnam port exim activities. To facilitate
immense biotic interference.
vehicular transport, bridges were constructed across Kandaleru
Nellore district, originally known for rice cultivation and
creek, and due to vehicular pollution and plastic waste
strong agricultural practices, has been converted in the recent
mangrove vegetation is threatened. Our unpublished work
years as an aquaculture hub. With plenty of resources
reveals heavy loss of mangrove vegetation along the length of
available, Nellore has made a significant name in aquaculture
Kandaleru creek during the past three years.
Table 1. Identified species of Insects
Sl.No
I

Order
Coleoptera

1.

Family
Carabidae

2.

Cerambycidae

3.

Chrysomelidae

4.

Coccinellidae

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Curculionidae
Dysticidae
Elateridae
Lampyridae
Mylaridae
Oedemeridae
Scarabeidae

12. Silphidae
13. Tenebrionidae

II

III

Hemiptera

Hymenoptera

14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

Coriedae
Corixidae
Fulgoridae
Hemicocephalidae
Nepidae
Pentatomidae

20. Reduviidae
21. Tingidae
22. Apidae

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.

Species
Brachynus americanus
Pherasophus lineforms
Chion cinctus
Saperda calcarata
Chaetocnema confinis
Chaetocnema pulicaria
Coccinella septempunctata
Chilochorus sp.
Trichobaris trionata
Orcyctes rhinoceros
Elaster sp.
Photinus pyralis
Mylabris sp.
Odedemerid sp.
Canthom viridian
Macrodacylus sp.
Onthophagus longicornis
Phllophage crassima
Nicrophorus marginetus
Amarygmus caparium
Calosoma scrutafor
Cicindilla ocodontata
Tenebroides mauritanicus
Leptocoris varisuga
Perillus
Murgantia luptescens
Hemicocephalus basalis
Locotrephes sp.
Brochymena araborea
Chrysocoris stolli
Easarcories ventralis
Triatoma sp.
Lygus sp.
Apis dorsata
Apis florida
Xylocopa sp.
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23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

Andrenidae
Chalicidae
Dryinidae
Eumeridae
Formicidae
Megachilidae
sphegidae

30. Vespidae

IV

Diptera

Lepidoptera

31. Ascilidae
32. Culicidae

33.
34.
35.
36.

Muscidae
Tabanidae
Apacidae
Arctiidae

37. Crambidae
38. Danalidae

39. Noctuidae
40. Nymphalidae
41. Papilionidae

42. Pieridae

VI

Odonata

43. Anisopteridae

VII

Orthoptera

44. Mantidae
45. Acrididae

VIII

Isoptera

46. Grillidae

If this continues in the same way, loss of mangrove

vegetation will prove disastrous as already experienced during
Tsunami in 2004. Measures should be taken to conserve
mangroves, while developmental activities are carried on, with
a judicious blend of development and conservation.

37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.

Andren wikella
Chalcis crule
Dryinius sp.
Moobia levigate
Irdomyrmex humilis
Megachile latimanus
Ammophila levigate
Stizus primaticus
Componotus sp.
Ocecophylla sp.
Sclenopis sp.
Promachus sp.
Aedes sp.
Anaphelus sp.
Culex sp.
Haematobia irritans
Tabanus striatus
Telchinae violae
Estigmena acrae
Halisodota caryace
Crambus mutabilis
Danais chrysippus
D.eucharis
D.mellisa
D.limance
D.plexippus
Mesensomia croesus
Plathypena scabra
Ergolis aradinae
Prcis lemonias
Polidours aristolochiae
P.hector
P.polyxenes
Papilla polytes
Anteas florilla
Catopsila horella
Heptosia nina
Terlas hacabe
Acisoma panorpoides
Aris vivida
Crocothemis erytbraea
Libellula luctuousa
Rhythenis varigata
Unidentified species- 4
Mantis religiosa
Camnula pellucidae
Exilisconorus
Gryllotalpha headactyla
Melanoplus sp.
Microcentum rhombifolium
Neoconocephalus
Paratettix sp.
Gryllus assimilus
Reticulitermus flavipes

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The authors are highly thankful to the respective authorities
for permitting to carry on with the work. We are indebted to
the local fisher men and the Andhra Pradesh Forest
Department for their constant support during the study period.
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