Insect Pollinator Diversity and Distribution on Selected Sites in Yobe State, Nigeria

Pollinators play vital ecosystem services to crops and wild plants, supporting agricultural land and producing worldwide food crops. This study aimed to assess insect pollinators' biodiversity in Yobe State, Nigeria. Using the line transect method, a field Survey was conducted fortnightly for one year in Dachia, Amshi, Kazir, Karage, Paga, and Damaturu communities. Four Temporary Sample Plots (TSP) of size 50×50 m were laid along each transect at a 250 m interval. A total of 349 insect pollinators belonging to 7 orders, 9 families and 13 species were collected and recorded during the sampling period, with Order Hymenoptera being the most dominant (74.83 %) in the dry season and (45 %) in the rainy season while Hemiptera represent the least (2.73 %) in dry seasons and (1.48 %) in the raining seasons, respectively. Similarly, more insect pollinators were observed in Amshi communities (20.30 %) in the rainy season and (17.00 %) in the dry season, while in Dachia (19.80 %) in the rainy season and (21.09 %) in the dry season, respectively. There was no significant difference (3.15) in insect distribution and diversity between sampling sites and species in the rainy season and (4.17) in the dry season in Amshi, while (3.08) in the rainy season and (5.17) in the dry season in Dachia, respectively. The results could be helpful for baseline information for further research on insect diversity, the relative abundance of beneficial and harmful insects, and the control of insect pests in the study areas.