GANESHAIAH, K NGYANESHWAR, JHA2017-10-092017-10-092016-09-01http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810032552A study was conducted to explore the seasonal variation in the abundance and diversity of insects attracted to light trap, and the relationship between biomass and diversity of insect. The study was conducted at GKVK campus, Bengaluru for twelve months (May, 2015 to April, 2016) at an interval of 21 days. A total of 16 samples throughout the year yielded 65,469 insects belonging to 639 OTUs. Species richness peaked during early rains (May-June) and during post monsoon (August-September). Abundance as well as total weight of insects sampled were high during May-June corresponding to early rains in Bengaluru. Body size parameters viz., body length, width and size revealed a positively skewed frequency distribution whereas, body dry weight showed a normal distribution. Inter-relationship among these body size parameters were best explained by power functions. Temporal patterns of body size and body dry weight revealed a high abundance of small insects during monsoon and post monsoon and of large insects during winter and summer (November to June). Rainfall received on or before the sampling significantly reduced the insects trapped and their diversity. However, time lag correlation studies revealed that rainfall received in a three day window before 7th and 8th day of sampling had a positive impact on the diversity and abundance of insects. Temporal variation in ecosystem productivity indicated two peaks viz., during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period; diversity and abundance were found to be negatively correlated with ecosystem productivity.ennullThesis