Diversity and functional groups of arthropods in greenhouse crop of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (Asterales: Asteraceae) from Jujuy, Argentina

Abstract

The diversity of arthropods present in the crops of yellow and white Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. in greenhouse is analyzed, based on the species richness, abundance and trophic roles. The study was carried out in a greenhouse located in El Carmen (Jujuy). Field tasks consisted of three strokes per plant to 30 plants taken randomly, with two repetitions, and a specific sampling of extraction of five flowers in three opening states (floral bud, flower-semi-open and open flower) for each color throughout the crop cycle. Samples were observed under a stereoscopic microscope for the extraction of the associated arthropods, which were identified and stored in flasks with 70% ethanol as well as microscopy slides. A total of 9,027 arthropods were collected, distributed in the classes Insecta (eight orders and 25 families) and Arachnida (three orders and nine families). The most diverse functional group was the phytophagous. This included the dominant species Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera) and Tetranychus urticae (Prostigmata). The entomophagous group was represented by Anthocoridae (Hemiptera), Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) and 11 families of Hymenoptera parasitica, Phytoseiidae (Mesostigmata) and seven families of Araneae. The less abundant groups were the detritivores (Psocoptera), fungivores (Latridiidae), xylophagous (Bostrichidae), and the varied diet (Formicidae).