DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF DIURNAL INSECT IN UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, KATSINA.

This study investigates the diversity and abundance of diurnal insects on the campus of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, Nigeria. The research aims to assess the ecological roles of insects within this university environment and to contribute to the understanding of local biodiversity. Insect sampling was conducted over a period of two months, from November to December 2024, across different habitats on the campus, including grasslands, gardens, and surrounding wooded areas. Using hand, sweep nets, traps, and visual observations, the study identified and categorized insect by order, family, and species. Data on the abundance and distribution of species were recorded, and species diversity was quantified using Relative Abundance Formular. A total of 22 insect with 12 species were recorded, with significant variation in abundance across habitats. The study revealed a higher concentration of species in areas with more vegetation cover, such as gardens and wooded areas, compared to open grasslands. Insect diversity was found to be high, with notable representation from orders such as Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. These findings highlight the importance of the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), campus as a valuable site for insect biodiversity and provide a basis for further studies on the ecological dynamics of campus environments in arid zones. The research also emphasizes the need for conservation strategies to protect the rich insect fauna that contribute to ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control.