*Corresponding author's present address: Department of Zoology, Govt. Degree College Pulwama, Kahsmir - 192 301, J&K (India); E-mail: din_ento@yahoo.co.in A survey of insect pests damaging vegetable crops in Kashmir Valley (India), with some new records Deen Mohamad Bhat*, R.C. Bhagat and Ajaz Qureshi Entomology Research Lab., P. G. Deptt. of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar - 190 006, J&K, India ABstRACt In 5-year feld survey conducted to observe some major insect pests damaging various vegetable crops in Kashmir Valley (India). During the survey, more than 25 insect pest species under 23 genera, distributed over 6 insect orders, belonging to 13 insect families were found infesting 23 host vegetable crops. Occurrence of 4 new pests, viz. Evergestis forfcalis (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goez.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomalidae) and Liriomyza trifolii (Burg.) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) were recorded. Apart from these, a number of new host-crops of the already reported pests of Kashmir have been observed. The moist climatic and soil conditions of the Valley are highly favourable for fruits and broad-leaved juicy vegetables production, but it is equally favourable for the insect pests. Like in other parts of the world, the vegetables crops in this region are damaged by a number of insect pests. Some earlier reports on insect pests of vegetable crops from Kashmir have given by Lang (1868), Rishi (1967), Punjabi et al. (1970), Malik et al. (1972) and Zaka-ur-rab (1981), Bhagat (1986), Bhagat et al. (1989) and Dar et al. (2002). The present thorough investigation was initiated with the aim to provide a more detailed picture and consolidated account of insect pests, damaging both cultivated and some wild types of vegetable crops in Kashmir region, covering their detailed distribution, host-range, nature and extent of damage, seasonal occurrence. Apart from these, some new pests along with new host plant records of the known pests were made during this investigation. MAteRIALs AnD MethODs To determine the insect pests damaging vegetable crops, feld surveys based on random sampling method were carried out in 7 districts of Kashmir Valley, viz. Anantnag, Badgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Pulwama and Srinagar, from March 2004 to October 2008. Immature forms (eggs, larvae / maggots / nymphs, pupae) and adults (beetles/ bugs) were collected from the vegetable crop felds and taken to the laboratory. The immature forms were reared in glass/ plastic jars for the emergence of adult pests. During rearing process, the larvae/ Nymphs/ maggots were fed on fresh parts of their host plants. The adult pest specimens were later on properly preserved and identifed. ResuLts AnD DIsCussIOn During the course of present investigation, more than 25 insect pest species under 23 genera, distributed over 6 insect orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera), belonging to 13 families (Agromyzidae, Aleyrodidae, Aphididae, Chrysomelidae, Lymantridae, Miridae, Noctuidae, Pentatomidae, Pieridae, Plutellidae, Pyralidae, Tenthredinidae and Tephritidae) were found attacking 22 host vegetable crops, belonging to 11 plant families (Table 1 and Figs. 1-25). The various vegetable crops and plant families observed infested by insect pests during the feld survey were Alliaceae: onion (Allium cepa) ; Apiaceae: carrot (Daucus carota); Brassicacea: cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata), cauliflower (B. o. botrytis), J. ent. Res., 35 (1) : 85-91 (2011)