Diversity and Distribution of Hymenopteran Insects in Urban Areas of Nagpur, Koradi and Kamptee, Maharashtra, India
Megha Somkuwar *
Department of Zoology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur 440033, India.
Ravindra Bahekar
Department of Zoology, Taywade College, Mahadula-Koradi, Nagpur 440012, Maharashtra, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Urban and peri-urban habitats can support diverse Hymenoptera, yet site-specific information for Nagpur District remains limited. This study documented hymenopteran fauna across selected urban and peri-urban locations in Nagpur, Koradi and Kamptee, Maharashtra, India. Field surveys were conducted from April 2025 to April 2026 in urban green spaces, semi-forested areas and mixed agricultural-urban landscapes. Hymenopterans were observed and collected mainly by hand-picking and sweep-net sampling, while field photographs were also used for identification; selected specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. The survey recorded 32 hymenopteran entries representing 24 genera and seven families. Formicidae constituted the largest component of the recorded fauna, followed by Vespidae and Apidae, whereas Sphecidae, Chalcididae, Mutillidae and Pompilidae were represented by fewer records. Differences in occurrence were observed among the surveyed localities, with urban green and wetland-associated areas supporting a range of ants, bees and wasps. Because habitat characteristics, environmental variables and standardised abundance were not quantified, the observed spatial patterns should be interpreted descriptively rather than as evidence of causal habitat effects. The study provides a baseline inventory for the surveyed parts of Nagpur District and indicates the need for further standardised sampling, taxonomic validation and season-specific observations to clarify hymenopteran distribution and temporal occurrence in the region.
Keywords: Hymenoptera, urban biodiversity, urban green spaces, peri-urban habitats