Diversity of beetles associated with watermelon crops Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mats. in the region of Ouargla (southern Algeria)

D Kacha,F Marniche,O Guezoul,A Viñolas

doi:10.32800/amz.2021.19.0073

Abstract

We studied the diversity of beetle families in watermelon fields in the palm grove of Zaatote at Ouargla (34º 54′ N, 5º 20′ E). The sampling method used was Barber pots as they allowed the largest number of captures of insects, regarding both individuals and species. Over the three years of the study (2016, 2017 and 2018), we identified 787 individuals from 12 taxonomic families. Throughout the sampling period, the Coccinellidae family was clearly dominant, with an Fc = 35.02 % in 2016, 36.2 % in 2017 and 34.34 % in 2018. The second most dominant family was Tenebrionidae with an Fc = 26.35 % in 2016, 30.04 % in 2017, and 33.33 % in 2018. Other families were poorly represented. In 2016, regarding their trophism, 18 species of beetles (30.91 %) were phytophagous and feed on the watermelon crop, while 26 species were predatory and decomposing auxiliaries. Data published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/sfhxty)

Highlights

Watermelon Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mats. is an annual plant belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae, native to tropical Africa (Paris, 2015)
The present study was conducted to identify and create an inventory of the different families of beetles living in watermelon fields in order to establish sustainable phytosanitary protection of the crop
Sampling using Barber pots over the three study years (2016, 2017 and 2018) allowed us to draw up the list of beetles found on watermelon crops in the region of Ouargla

Summary

Introduction

Watermelon Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mats. is an annual plant belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae, native to tropical Africa (Paris, 2015). According to the Directorate of Agricultural Services (DSA, 2020), the area of watermelon in crops in green houses in the 2019/2020 season was estimated to be 1,957.5 ha with a production of 1,082,500 qx/ha. The area of crops in the open field is estimated at 274 ha with a production of 31,792 qx. The list of vegetable crop pests in general is not well established in the region of Ouargla. The first step to protect this crop is to determine which pest and which non–pest arthropods are associated with this plant. The present study was conducted to identify and create an inventory of the different families of beetles living in watermelon fields in order to establish sustainable phytosanitary protection of the crop. We aimed to establish a basic repository in order to draw up an inventory of the main pests and evaluate the natural control agents

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion