Diversity of Soil Arthropod Community in Bt-Cotton and Non Bt-Cotton Fields of Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India

Soil arthropod community was investigated by using pitfall and compared the abundance and diversity of arthropods in Bt-cotton and non Bt-cotton fields from June 2011 to March 2012. A total of 46 specimens in non Bt-cotton and 40 in Bt-cotton (Collembola, Ants, Beetles, Crickets, Spiders and Mites) were captured and identified. The largest number of individuals was collected in both crops. The monthly diversity was calculated by using the Shannon -wiener diversity index and highest diversity of Collembola was found in October (H=1.47), Ants (H=1.49) in June, Beetles (H=1.41) in September, Crickets (H=1.18) in December, Spiders (H=1.48) in October and Mites (H=1.48) August in Bt-cotton fields. Highest diversity of Collembola (H=2.09) in November, Ants (H=1.89) in July, Beetles (H=1.92) in July, Crickets (H=1.31) in August and October, Spiders (H=1.76) in August 2011, and Mites (H=1.62) in August and October in non Bt-cotton. Total species and number of individuals and groups were determined there were no significant difference were observed in their abundance of arthropod species in Bt-cotton and non Btcotton fields. Suggesting that there were no adverse effects of Bt-cotton on the arthropod diversity under field conditions.