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Abstract (in English)
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Linnaeus.) holds significance as a vital vegetable crop in Afghanistan but it is often infested by various species of pests, leading to significant crop damage. The research aimed to assess the abundance and diversity of insects in the agricultural ecosystem of okra. The experiment laid out at the experimental farm of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Directorate. Four sampling methods, including visual observation, pitfall traps, sweep nets, and yellow sticky traps, were employed. A total of 36 families belong to 9 orders were identified. There was considerable variation in insect abundance across different orders (F = 501.81, d.f = 7, 96; P < 0.05), with hemiptera being the most abundant order (2.94 ± 0.06). Differences in feeding habits were significant (F = 597.05, d.f = 6, 84; P < 0.05), with sap-feeders having the highest abundance (2.93 ± 0.06). The families cicadellidae among pests and hormicidae among natural enemies were recorded as the most abundant. Int terms of diversity, the analysis revealed a significant difference among feeding habits (F = 52.41, d.f = 6, 119; P < 0.05). Notably, predators exhibited the highest diversity (1.57 ± 0.08), Moreover, a notable disparity in diversity emerged between pests and natural enemies (F = 212.66, d.f = 1, 24; P < 0.05), with non-pests (natural enemies) showcasing the greatest abundance and variety (mean value of H’=1.80 ± 0.06). The findings of this research contribute valuable knowledge for enhancing eco-friendly and sustainable practices in pest management, particularly through the promotion of biological control methods.