Coleoptera inventory in cork oak stands of North-Eastern Algeria

Abstract

Insect fauna is an essential element in the dynamics and functioning of forest ecosystems. The ecological role and bio-indicator status of certain species can indicate the sanitary status of forests and helps identifying factors related to their degradation. Many attacks of pest insects affecting primarily the leaves, the acorns and the trunk of the oak have been reported. Action of some phytophagous Coleoptera (Curculionidae …) is one of the main defoliation causes, the borers weakening the tree, while acorn’s pests have directly impact regeneration. These attacks can weaken cork oak populations and contribute to their decline. An inventory of Coleoptera was conducted to determine the richness, the diversity, and the ecological role of inventoried species. Sampling was conducted in two cork forests in North-Eastern Algeria (El Kala and Souk Ahras) with different techniques used in the field of entomology (visual collecting, pitfall trap, and aerial traps). We identified 100 species of Coleoptera belonging to 25 different families with diversified feeding types (coprophagous, saproxylic, predatory, herbivorous or decomposers). Calculation of ecological indexes allowed situating the different populations in their environment.

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