Diversity of Epiphytic Insects on Mangrove Trees in Badagry Creek, Lagos State, South West Nigeria

This study documents the diversity of insects found on and within the canopy of mangrove trees in Badagry Creek, Lagos State, located in Nigeria's South West geopolitical zone. Mangrove canopy insects have been little studied in Nigeria despite their ecological importance as herbivores, predators, and pollinators within mangrove food webs. Insect sampling was conducted by branch beating, hand collection, and direct observation at six mangrove stations along Badagry Creek over three months. A total of 45 insect species from 9 orders and 27 families were identified. Hemiptera and Coleoptera were the most species-rich orders. Rhizopora racemosa-dominated sites supported the highest insect species richness (32 species) compared to Avicennia africana-dominated sites (22 species). Sap-sucking Hemiptera dominated the canopy herbivore guild, and several were identified as potential vectors of mangrove disease agents based on their feeding on vascular tissue. Predatory wasps and ants constituted the most abundant natural enemy taxa, playing important roles in regulating herbivore populations. The wet season supported significantly higher insect abundance but similar species richness to the dry season. The study provides the first systematic characterisation of epiphytic insects from Lagos mangroves and recommends their inclusion in environmental impact assessments for proposed coastal development projects in the Badagry area. Keywords: epiphytic insects, mangrove canopy, Badagry Creek, Lagos State, coastal biodiversity.