Multivariate Biometrical Studies on Vespa spp. from Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Present research work deals with comprehensive biometrical studies conducted on hymenopteran, especially members of family vespidae viz. Vespa auraria collected from 10 localities, V. tropica from 3 localities, V. basalis from 4 localities, V. orientalis, Polistes hebraeus and Ropalidia ferruginea from one locality respectively sampled from different agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh, situated in the lap of north west Himalayas. Different species were sampled from 14 localities having different altitude and climatic conditions. 59 morphological characters pertaining to mouthparts, antenna, forewing, hindwing, foreleg, hindleg, tergites and sternites were studied. Biometrical data was analysed statistically, using Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Duncan’s Multiple Range test, ttest, correlation and Multivariate Discriminant Analysis.