Abstract
Argan tree (Argania spinosa) is the unique representative of Sapotaceae family in North-Africa. This family is commonly growing in pantropical areas. The current study focused on the diversity of foliage insect associated to A. spinosa, and their seasonality in four sites in Souss region. Insects were trapped using sticky yellow traps installed on each sampled Argan tree. Consequently, 241 morphospecies were identified represented by seven orders. Hemiptera was the most abundant, followed by Diptera and Hymenoptera. However, the remains orders represented only less than 4%. A high taxonomic richness was recorded for Hymenoptera (100 morphospecies) followed by Diptera (70) and Coleoptera (39). Data analysis shows a quantitative dominance of some insects’ families. Within Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae represented up to 80% of total captures. Coccinellidea was the most abundant family of Coleoptera representing over 62%. Among Diptera and Hymenoptera, more than 60% of total abundance was represented only by five families. Argan foliage insects exhibited seasonal variations. Therefore, high significant diversity parameters were recorded during spring. However, the lowest diversity was recorded during summer in Belfaa and during autumn for the other sites. Five trophic guilds were reported. Their abundance was influenced by seasonal variation. Herbivores abundance was highly significant compared to the others trophic guilds throughout all sampling seasons. Except Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, which infests argan fruits during the two latest stages of maturity, none of its herbivores is known as economic interest to the argan tree. On the other hand, argan trees host a complex structure of functional taxa, including pest regulating (predators and parasitoids) and pollinators.
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Claims 14
Claim · model-written summary
The survey identified 241 insect morphospecies across seven orders on argan foliage.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“241 morphospecies were identified represented by seven orders.”
Claim · model-written summary
Hemiptera was the most abundant insect order, followed by Diptera and Hymenoptera.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Hemiptera was the most abundant, followed by Diptera and Hymenoptera.”
Claim · model-written summary
Hymenoptera had the greatest taxonomic richness, with 100 morphospecies.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“A high taxonomic richness was recorded for Hymenoptera (100 morphospecies) followed by Diptera (70) and Coleoptera (39).”
Claim · model-written summary
Diptera comprised 70 morphospecies.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Diptera (70)”
Claim · model-written summary
Coleoptera comprised 39 morphospecies.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Coleoptera (39)”
Claim · model-written summary
Aleyrodidae accounted for up to 80% of Hemiptera captures.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Within Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae represented up to 80% of total captures.”
Claim · model-written summary
Coccinellidea accounted for over 62% of Coleoptera captures.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Coccinellidea was the most abundant family of Coleoptera representing over 62%.”
Claim · model-written summary
Five families represented more than 60% of abundance among Diptera and Hymenoptera.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Among Diptera and Hymenoptera, more than 60% of total abundance was represented only by five families.”
Claim · model-written summary
Argan foliage insect diversity varied seasonally and was highest in spring.
Verbatim
e0“Argan foliage insects exhibited seasonal variations. Therefore, high significant diversity parameters were recorded during spring.”
Claim · model-written summary
Insect diversity was lowest in summer at Belfaa.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“the lowest diversity was recorded during summer in Belfaa”
Claim · model-written summary
Insect diversity was lowest in autumn at the other sites.
- Outcome
- autumne0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“during autumn for the other sites”
Claim · model-written summary
The insect survey identified five trophic guilds whose abundance varied by season.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Five trophic guilds were reported. Their abundance was influenced by seasonal variation.”
Claim · model-written summary
Herbivores were more abundant than other trophic guilds throughout the sampling seasons.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Herbivores abundance was highly significant compared to the others trophic guilds throughout all sampling seasons.”
Claim · model-written summary
Argan trees hosted predators, parasitoids and pollinators.
Verbatim
e0“argan trees host a complex structure of functional taxa, including pest regulating (predators and parasitoids) and pollinators.”