Monitoring Arthropods in Azorean Agroecosystems: the project AGRO-ECOSERVICES

Study Extent

The study was conducted in three agro-ecosystems of Terceira Island: citrus orchards, maize fields and vineyards. Five citrus orchards were selected, located at low elevation areas. Ten maize fields, which five are located inland (at intermediate elevation areas) and five in low elevation areas. Finally, three vineyards included in a world heritage region, located in the coast north of the island, were sampled

Sampling

Active Aerial Searching (AAS) and Pitfall traps were used to sample the arthropod biodiversity, by collecting pollinators and predatory spiders, true-bugs and beetles and main insect pests, on three agricultural habitats of Terceira Island. Active Aerial Searching (AAS) consists on collecting arthropods found above knee-level by hand, forceps, pooter or brush and immediately transferring them into vials containing alcohol. Pitfall traps consists on standard 33 cl plastic cups, partially filled with propylene glycol. The traps were deployed during 14 consecutive days. In five citrus orchards and six (of ten available) maize fields (three in low- and three in intermediate-elevation areas), 16 pitfall traps were deployed, along a transect, from the point closest to the crop entrance. A total of 80 and 96 pitfall-traps were deployed on citrus orchards and maize fields, respectively. Additionally, in five low- and five intermediate-elevation maize fields, four 1hour-samples were also collected using AAS technique, given that the complexity of the crop and the economic importance for the region. Azorean vineyards are formed by small rocky enclosures (between 6-20 m2). Therefore, the pitfall-traps were deployed in the interior of these enclosures. A total of 142 Pitfall traps were deployed in three vineyards. Collected samples were sorted and posteriorly identified by an expert taxonomist (PAVB) in laboratory

Quality Control

All sorted speciments were identified by a taxonomical expert

Method steps

1. Active Aerial Searching (AAS) and Pitfall traps were used to sample the arthropod biodiversity, by collecting pollinators and predatory spiders, true-bugs and beetles and main insect pests, on three agricultural habitats of Terceira Island. Active Aerial Searching (AAS) consists on collecting arthropods found above knee-level by hand, forceps, pooter or brush and immediately transferring them into vials containing alcohol. Pitfall traps consists on standard 33 cl plastic cups, partially filled with propylene glycol. The traps were deployed during 14 consecutive days.

The following Classes and Orders are covered: Arachnida: Araneae; Opiliones; Pseudoscorpiones Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha; Lithobiomorpha; Scolopendromorpha; Scutigeromorpha Diplopoda: Chordeumatida; Julida; Polydesmida Insecta: Archaeognatha; Coleoptera; Dermaptera; Hemiptera; Hymenoptera; Lepidoptera; Neuroptera; Orthoptera; Psocoptera; Thysanoptera

1. Arthropoda
   common name: Arthropods rank: phylum
2. Araneae
   common name: Spiders rank: order
3. Opiliones
   common name: Opilions rank: order
4. Pseudoscorpiones
   common name: Pseudoscorpiones rank: order
5. Chilopoda
   common name: Centipedes rank: class
6. Diplopoda
   common name: Millipedes rank: class
7. Archaeognatha
   common name: Bristletails rank: order
8. Coleoptera
   common name: Beetles rank: order
9. Dermaptera
   common name: Earwigs rank: order
10. Hemiptera
    common name: Bugs rank: order
11. Hymenoptera
    common name: Ants rank: order
12. Lepidoptera
    common name: Moths rank: order
13. Neuroptera
    common name: Lacewings rank: order
14. Orthoptera
    common name: Grasshoppers rank: order
15. Psocodea
    common name: Barklice rank: order
16. Thysanoptera
    common name: Thrips rank: order

Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal