Entomological diversity associated with apple trees in the Aurès region (Northeastern Algeria)

Abstract

Pomiculture is a social and economic activity that holds considerable importance in the Aurès region. To learn more about the diversity of insects that coexist with apples in this particular region, especially around Tazoult, four types of sampling have been carried out: classical visual harvesting, yellow traps, white traps, and Barber pots from February until April. The results obtained recorded 156 individuals, concerning 17 species arranged into 6 orders and 16 families, further grouped into four trophic categories: phytophages, predators, coprophagous and saprophagous. Among them, phytophages were the most dominating during our inventory. The Shannon diversity index, H', showed high values, indicating high specific diversity. It could be explained by the diversification of the environments at this period that offered more favorable conditions to the establishment of a larger number of individuals per species. Added to that, close-to-unity equity values recorded suggest a high balance in the populations of different sampled insect species in our study station. This study reveals the strong insect diversity of Aurès apple orchards and highlights their ecological importance for regional conservation. It encourages agricultural ecosystem interaction knowledge and identifies key issues for sustainable pomiculture management.