Diversity, Abundance, and Host Preference of Sap-Sucking Insects on Selected Ornamental and Medicinal Plants in Urban Ecosystems in Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Urban ecosystems in the semi-arid region of Sindh support diverse insect assemblages associated with ornamental and medicinal plants. The present study evaluated species richness, abundance, and host plant preference of sap-sucking insects in Khairpur city, Pakistan. Field surveys were conducted from March to September 2025 across 40 ornamental and 35 medicinal plant species using sweep netting, sticky traps, and direct visual counts. A total of 28 sap-sucking insect species were recorded, belonging mainly to the families Aphididae, Cicadellidae, Coccidae, Aleyrodidae, and Pseudococcidae. Among them, Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci, and Phenacoccus solenopsis were the most dominant and widely distributed species. Host preference analysis revealed that aphids were highly abundant on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, whiteflies showed strong association with Ocimum tenuiflorum, while mealybugs (Phenacoccus solenopsis) heavily infested Delonix regia and Ziziphus jujuba. Diversity indicated moderate species richness but strong dominance of a few economically important pest species. Seasonal population peaks were observed during July and August, suggesting a strong influence of climatic conditions on population dynamics. The study highlights the ecological role of sap-sucking insects in urban plant–insect interactions and emphasizes the need for integrated pest management strategies in urban Sindh