Assessment of abundance and diversity of lepidoptera pollinators of selected families in Amani nature reserve, East Usambara mountains, Tanzania.

Abundance and diversity of three Lepidoptera pollinator families (Sphingidae, Hesperiidae and Papilionidae) were assessed at eleven selected sites in Amani Nature Reserve, East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Data collection was conducted for one month on June and November 2017. Collection of sample specimens was carried out using aerial insect nets and light trap. A total of 1143 Lepidoptera pollinator specimens of selected families in 68 species were collected. Sphingidae and Hesperiidae were well established Lepidoptera families among selected three families in terms of abundance and diversity. Papilionidae was poorly established Lepidoptera pollinator family in terms of both diversity and abundance. Woodland habitat had most abundant and the largest number of successful Lepidoptera pollinator species. Grassland had least abundant and the smallest number of successful Lepidoptera pollinator species. Community structure of Lepidoptera pollinators in Amani Nature Reserve had higher sharing of Lepidoptera pollinator species of all selected families with different relative abundance among habitats. The distribution pattern of Lepidoptera pollinator community of selected families among habitats suggesting most species were less abundant, few were abundant and fewer were very abundant. Findings of the present study indicating woodland habitat has the potential to support Lepidoptera pollinator species abundance and diversity, also help to maintain a high degree of biodiversity in East Usambara Mountains.