Diversity and abundance of insect’s community associated to Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels foliage

Abdelhadi AJERRAR; Mina ZAAFRANI; Redouan QESSAOUI; Hilal BAHADOU; Hind LAHMYED; Ahmed BOUAMAIR; Abdelghani TAHIRI; Bouchra CHEBLI; El Hassan MAYAD; Rachid BOUHARROUD

doi:10.55779/nsb16111594

Authors

Abdelhadi AJERRAR Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090; Ibn Zohr University, National School of Applied Sciences, Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering Unit (MA)
Mina ZAAFRANI Ibn Zohr University, National School of Applied Sciences, Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering Unit (MA)
Redouan QESSAOUI Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090 (MZ)
Hilal BAHADOU Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090 (MA)
Hind LAHMYED Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090; Ibn Zohr University, National School of Applied Sciences, Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering Unit (MA)
Ahmed BOUAMAIR Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090; Ibn Zohr University, Faculty of Sciences - Agadir, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, 80000 Agadir (MA)
Abdelghani TAHIRI Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090 (MA)
Bouchra CHEBLI Ibn Zohr University, National School of Applied Sciences, Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering Unit (MA)
El Hassan MAYAD Ibn Zohr University, Faculty of Sciences - Agadir, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, 80000 Agadir (MA)
Rachid BOUHARROUD Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, B.P. 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090 (MA) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8914-1050

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb16111594

Keywords:

Coccinellidea, herbivores, Hymenoptera, insect’s diversity, parasitoids, pollinators

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. Diptera was the most abundant followed by Hemiptera 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.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Aberlenc HP, Hamlaoui MS (2011). Xylomedes coronata (Marseul, 1883), un xylophage polyphage (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 116:29-33. https://doi.org/10.3406/bsef.2011.2896

Ait Aabd N, Tahiri A, Qessaoui R, Mimouni A, Bouharroud R (2022). Self- and cross-pollination in argane tree and their implications on breeding programs. Cells 11(5):828. https://doi,org/10,3390/cells11050828.

Ait Aabd N, Bouharroud R, Tahiri A, Wifaya A, Mimouni A, El Mousadik A (2019). Genetic diversity, conservation and breeding of argan tree (Argania spinosa L., Skeels). In: Al-Khayri JM, Jain SM, Johnson DV (Eds). Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Nut and Beverage Crops. Springer Nature, Switzerland, pp 31-56.

Ajerrar A, Zaafrani M, Qessaoui R, Ait Aabd N, Bahadou H, Lahmyed H, … Bouharroud R (2023a). Terrestrial arthropods diversity in the argan biosphere reserve: Seasonal dynamics and ecological function roles. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 22:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2022.05.003

Ajerrar A, Qessaoui R, Lahmyed H, Bouharroud R, Chebli B, Zaafrani M, Mayad El H (2023b). Seasonal occurrence of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Argan trees (Argania spinosa, Sapotaceae) in Morocco. Agriculture and Forestry 69:59-70. https://doi.org/10.17707/AgricultForest.69.2.05

Ajerrar A, Akroud H, Ait Aabd N, Qessaoui R, Amarraque A, Lahmyd H, … Bouharroud R (2020). Pollination system and effective pollinators of Argania spinosa ((L.) Skeels). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 9:375-382. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2020.04.002

Arahou M (2010). L’entomofaune du chêne vert du moyen atlas marocain : régime trophique et biogéographie. In: Himmi O (Ed). Actes de la CIFE VI. Travaux de l’Institut Scientifique, Série Zoologie 47:33-42.

Bagyaraj DJ, Nethravathi CJ, Nitin KS (2016). Soil biodiversity and arthropods: role in soil fertility. In: Chakravarthy A, Sridhara S (Eds). Economic and Ecological Significance of Arthropods in Diversified Ecosystems. Springer, Singapore, pp 17-51.

Bani-Aameur F (2000). Phenological phases of Argania spinosa (L., Skeels) flower. Forest Genetics 7:329-334.

Bellamy AS, Svensson O, van den Brink PJ, Gunnarsson J, Tedengren M (2018). Insect community composition and functional roles along a tropical agricultural production gradient. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25:13426-13438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1818-4.

Bianchi FJJA, Booij C, Tscharntke T (2006). Sustainable pest regulation in agricultural landscapes: a review on landscape composition, biodiversity and natural pest control. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 273:1715-1727. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2006.3530

Calabuig A, Garcia-Marí F, Pekas A (2015). Ants in citrus: impact on the abundance, species richness, diversity and community structure of predators and parasitoids. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 213:178-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2015.08.001

Chakhchar A, Lamaoui M, El kharrassi Y, Bourhim T, Filali-maltouf A, El modafar C (2020). A review on the root system of Argania spinosa. Current Agriculture Research Journal 1:07-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.8.1.03

Chaplin-Kramer R, Tuxen-Bettman K, Kremen C (2011). Value of wildland habitat for supplying pollination services to Californian agriculture. Rangelands 33:33-41. https://doi.org/10.2111/1551-501X-33.3.33

Ebrahim AM, Salem MM (2010). An illustrated key to the families of order Diptera as known to occur in Egypt. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences 3:57-79. https://doi.org/10.21608/eajbsa.2010.15210

El Alaoui El Fels M, Yart A, Roques A, Arjouni Y, El Mercht S, Auger-Rozenberg MA, Romane A (2013). Acariens et insectes ravageurs de deux cupressacées menacées au Maroc: le Genévrier thurifère et le cyprès de l’Atlas. Ecologia Mediterranea 39(1):123-127.

El Keroumi A, Naamani K, Dahbi A, Luquec I, Carvajal A, Cerda X, Boulay R (2010). Effect of ant predation and abiotic factors on the mortality of medfly larvae, Ceratitis capitata, in the Argan forest of Western Morocco. Biocontrol Science and Technology 20:751-762.

Fegrouche R, Ghaioule D, Lumaret J-P, Bertrand M, Atay Kadiri Z (2012). Etude de la mobilité souterraine des larves de Sphodroxia maroccana (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae), un ravageur des jeunes plants de chênes lièges dans la forêt de la Mamora (Maroc). IOBC/wprs Bulletin 76:213-220.

Gkisakis VD, Bàrberi P, Kabourakis EM (2018). Olive canopy arthropods under organic, integrated, and conventional management, The effect of farming practices, climate and landscape. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. https://doi.org/1080/21683565.2018.1469066

Goulet H, Huber JT (1993) Hymenoptera of the world: An identification guide to family. Research Branch Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, pp 668.

Haack RA (2017), Cerambycid pests in forests and urban trees. In: Wang Q (Ed). Cerambycidae of the World: Biology and Pest Management. Vol. 1, CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 352-397.

Hammer Ø, Harper DAT, Ryan PD (2009). PAST: Paleontological Statistics Software Package for Education and Data Analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica ver1, pp 92.

Lowman MD (1982). Seasonal variation in insect abundance among three Australian rain forests, with particular reference to phytophagous types. Australian Journal of Ecology 7:353-361. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.1982.tb01310.x

Marshall SA, Kirk-Spriggs AH, Muller BS, Paiero SM, Yau T, Jackson MD (2017). Key to Diptera families-adults. Suricata 4(1):267-311.

Mazih A, Debouzie D (1996). Infestation rate of argan fruit (Argania spinosa) by the Mediterranean fruit (Ceratitis capitata) in relation to phenology and maturation of the fruit. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 81:31- 38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1996.tb02011.x

Mokhtari N, Mrabet R, Lebailly L, Bock L (2013). Spatialisation des bioclimats, de l’aridité et des étages de végétation du Maroc. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires 2:50-66.

Molina GA, Poggio SL, Ghersa CM (2014). Epigeal arthropod communities in intensively farmed landscapes: effects of land use mosaics, neighborhood heterogeneity, and field position. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 192:135-143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.04.013

Msanda F, Mayad H, Furze JN (2021). Floristic biodiversity, biogeographical significance, and importance of Morocco’s Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28:64156-64165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11936-0

Naamani K (2004). Etude de l’Entomofaune de l’Arganier (Argania spinosa (L), Skeels) et de la bio-écologie de son ravageur Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptère: Tephritidae) dans la région d’Essaouira (Maroc). PhD Thesis, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech.

Ollerton J (2017). Pollinator diversity: distribution, ecological function, and conservation. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 48:353-376. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110316-022919

Smirnoff W (1958). Influence des traitements antiacridiens sur l'entomofaune de la vallée du Sous (Maroc). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 63:160-172.

Unwin DM (1981). A key to the families of British Diptera. Field Studies 5:513-553.

Wenninger EJ, Inouye RS (2008). Insect community response to plant diversity and productivity in a sagebrush–steppe ecosystem. Journal of Arid Environments 72:24-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.04.005.

Zahidi A, Bani-Aameur F, EL Mousadik A (2013). Seasonal change effects on phenology of Argania spinosa (L. Skeels) in the fields. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment 5:189-205. http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/JENE2013.0373