Effects of biological control on biodiversity of insects in citrus orchards of Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran

Abstract

In this research, insect populations in citrus orchards of Hadishahr, Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran, under different pest managements for two seasons (summer and autumn) from late June to late December 2017 were evaluated by installation of sticky yellow cards and investigation of branches and leaves of trees and then biodiversity indices in different orchards were estimated. Analysis of data of foliage samples showed that in summer, the amount of Brillouin diversity index, species richness and frequency in free pesticides protocol orchard were more than the other two orchards, but the average of Simpson diversity index in low input orchard was the most. In autumn, the mean of Simpson and Shannon-Weiner diversity indices and all of the evenness indices in low input orchard were higher than the two conventional and free pesticides protocol orchards; however, the frequency in free pesticides protocol orchard showed higher amount than low input and conventional orchards.Diversity of natural enemies and pests in foliage and sticky yellow card samples, in free pesticides protocol orchard was more than other two orchards.

Keywords

• citrus orchards
• different pest managements
• insect biodiversity
• mineral oils