Inventory of Arthropod pests in Azorean orchards: The project CUARENTAGRI

Study Extent

The study was conducted in three islands of the Azores archipelago, São Jorge and São Miguel. The sampled agricultural areas included several crops and orchards types, as plum, banana, potato, coffee, chestnut, fig, orange, several citrus, apple, strawberry, vine, olive, and pastures.

Sampling

The sampling methods included the installation of 3 traps per each plot baited with pheromones, using different attractant types. Most of the traps were commercial with the food attractant (e.g., Ceratitis capitate or Bactrocera dorsalis), sexual pheromone (e.g., Bactrocera oleae, Lobesia botrana, Ptorimea operculella or Tecia solanivora) or aggregation pheromones (e.g., Cosmopolitus sordidus) depending of the type of pest. The traps were installed during the appearance of the adults of the different pests, sometimes during all year (Ceratitis capitata, Cosmopolitus sordidus, trips) and sometimes only for few months, depending of the pest life cycle. The traps were monitored each two-weeks, collecting the samples and replacing the bait. The collected individuals were identified by an expert taxonomist in laboratory, determining the individual sex when possible. The sampling protocol was implemented during three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022). Additionally, phytosanitary sheet reports were regularly elaborated, and provided to technicians and farmers in order to inform them about pest’s identity and spread status.

Quality Control

All collected individuals were identified by expert taxonomists in laboratory. When possible, the sex of the individuals was provided.

Method steps

1. The sampled habitats were selected by investigators of the University of Azores in cooperation with the technicians from the Agricultural Development Services and FRUTER Producers Cooperative of Terceira island, which included several types of crops and orchards. Pheromones-baited traps were used to sample the arthropod pests, which remain deployed during the appearance of the adults of the different pests, sometimes during all year (Ceratitis capitata, Cosmopolitus sordidus, trips) and sometimes only for few months, depending of the pest life cycle, and monitored in 2-weeks period. The sampling protocol comprise three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022). The collected individuals were identified by expert taxonomists in laboratory. Additionally, phytosanitary sheet reports to technicians and farmers were regularly elaborated, including information about pest identity and spread status.

The following Insecta Classes are covered: Insecta: Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera

1. Arthropoda
   common name: Arthropods rank: phylum
2. Coleoptera
   common name: Beetles rank: order
3. Hemiptera
   common name: Bugs rank: order
4. Lepidoptera
   common name: Moths rank: order
5. Diptera
   common name: Flies rank: order
6. Thysanoptera
   common name: Thrips rank: order

Terceira, São Jorge and São Miguel islands, Azores, Portugal