Biodiversity and distribution of beneficial arthropods within hedgerows of organic Citrus orchards in Valencia (Spain)

Abstract

A study of natural enemies within hedgerows and on ground covers was carried out in two organic citrus orchards in two areas of Valencia (Spain) using two sampling methods, yellow sticky traps and a vacuum machine. Hedgerows had significantly higher levels of natural enemies, followed by citrus and ground covers. The species of natural enemies in hedgerows were similar to those found in citrus orchards, but different from those identified on ground cover. In hedgerows and citrus the predominant predators were Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) and Cecidomyiidae (Diptera), and the most abundant parasitoids were Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera).