Diversity and phenology of epigeal Coleoptera assemblages in lettuce and tomato crops in Northern Buenos Aires province, Argentina

ROUAUX, JULIA; CABRERA, NORA; SALAZAR MARTÍNEZ, ANA; CHANI POSSE, M.; LUNA, MARÍA GABRIELA

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Lugar: Rio de Janeiro; Año: 2020

0001-3765

Epigeic coleopteran species are linked by complex trophic webs and implicated in several ecosystem services for agriculture. Although there are reports of ground-dwelling Coleopterans inhabiting main extensive agroecosystems, their assemblages in horticultural crops in Argentina have been little explored. We examined the community structure of epigeal Coleoptera assemblages of Curculionidae, Carabidae, Staphylinidae and Coccinellidae species, in lettuce and tomato crops located in Northern Buenos Aires province, over a 3-year sampling period (2010 to 2013) by using pit-fall traps. Crop species and cycles, and phytosanitary measures (conventional and organic farming), were main factors considered as infl uencing the insect species composition, abundance and seasonal occurrence in the assemblages. Seventy coleopteran species were identifi ed. The curculionids Ceutorhynchini sp. and Phyrdenus muriceus (Germar), the carabid Scarithes anthracinus Dejean, the coccinelid Eriopis connexa (Germar) and the staphylinids Aleochara sp. and Aleochara obscurus Bernhauer are the most common species in lettuce and tomato crops in the region studied. Especially the carabids, staphylinids and E. connexa are known act as natural enemies of several pests in the agroecosystems studied. Coleopteran assemblages found in lettuce differed from those associated to tomato crops, being the cropping season the main factor that infl uenced the community structure.