Insect Diversity in Siam Citrus Plantations (Citrus nobilis Lour.) in Sungkai, Padang City, Indonesia

Abstract

Insect diversity in plantations is crucial for understanding the ecological roles of each species and managing pest-related issues. This study aimed to assess the diversity of insects in Siam citrus (Citrus nobilis Lour.) plantations in Sungkai, Padang City, Indonesia, focusing on the implications for pest management. A survey was conducted in the Siam citrus plantation, categorizing sampling sites into three groups based on the distance from the forest (20, 40, and 60 m from the forest). Insect samples were collected by spraying the plants with insecticides, hand-picking, and trapping insects on a white cloth. The results showed that the number of insect species found at the sites was 19, 18, and 12 at 20, 40, and 60 m from the forest, respectively. The species identified included Bractocera spp., Toxoptera sp., Aphis gossypii, Bothrogonia sp., Planococcus citri, Sanurus sp., Rhynchocoris humeralis, Conocephalus sp., and Valanga nigricornis as pests, and Blattella sp., Hemithyrsocera sp., Coccinella transversalis, Nylanderia sp., Polyrhachis sp., Dolichoderus sp., Anoplolepis gracilipes, Hierodula sp., and Hierodula sp1 as predators, with Lasioglossum sp. identified as a pollinator. The species diversity at each site was categorized as medium, with diversity index values of 2.10, 2.07, and 1.95, respectively. Species evenness was categorized as high, with index values of 0.71, 0.72, and 0.78, respectively. This study provides valuable data on the pest and predator populations in citrus plantations, which can inform sustainable pest management strategies to improve crop health and productivity.