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Effects of pesticide practices on insect biodiversity in peach orchards

Applied Entomology and Zoology volume 46, pages 335–342 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

To examine the effects of pesticides on insect biodiversity, a population survey was conducted in conventionally managed, low-input, and organic peach orchards. Pitfall traps were used to sample a total of 6489 insects representing 151 species at seven study sites. Results of a population survey suggest that pesticide application adversely affected insect biodiversity in peach orchards and that the magnitude of the adverse effect might be greater for herbicide application than for insecticide application. The usefulness of carabids and ants as biological indicators of the effects of pesticides was also evaluated. Results suggest that the ant species Tetramorium tsushimae is a good indicator in peach orchards. In contrast, carabids are not suitable indicators.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan through the research project “Selection of functional biodiversity indicators and development of the assessment methods” and the Ohara Foundation for Agricultural Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki, Okayama, 710-0046, Japan

    Shoji Sonoda, Yohei Izumi, Yoko Kohara & Hideya Yoshida

  2. Field Data Research Office, Higashikarube 516-1, Akaiwa, Okayama, 701-2214, Japan

    Yozo Koshiyama

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  1. Shoji Sonoda
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  2. Yohei Izumi
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  3. Yoko Kohara
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  4. Yozo Koshiyama
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  5. Hideya Yoshida
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Correspondence to Shoji Sonoda.

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Sonoda, S., Izumi, Y., Kohara, Y. et al. Effects of pesticide practices on insect biodiversity in peach orchards. Appl Entomol Zool 46, 335–342 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-011-0041-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-011-0041-2

Keywords

  • Ant
  • Biodiversity
  • Biological indicator
  • Carabid
  • Population survey