Artificial overwintering shelters enhance monitoring of beneficial and harmful insects in pomegranate orchards

Abstract

Understanding the overwintering insect fauna is critical for efficient integrated pest management (IPM) in pomegranate orchards; nevertheless, comprehensive information is still limited. The present study investigated the diversity and abundance of beneficial and harmful insect fauna overwintering in pomegranate orchards [planted in Ak & ccedil;akale (Koruklu), Eyy & uuml;biye (K & imath;sas), Haliliye (S & imath;rr & imath;n), Karak & ouml;pr & uuml; (Ak & imath;nc & imath;), and Suru & ccedil; (Alig & ouml;r)] using artificial overwintering shelters. Two artificial overwintering shelters (prepared from corrugated cardboard and linen burlap) were installed at two heights (0.30 and 1.5 m) and examined for diversity and abundance of beneficial and harmful insect fauna. A total of 852 individuals (631 beneficial and 221 harmful) belonging to 16 beneficial and 28 harmful species were recorded. Beneficial and harmful insects comprised 74.1 and 25.9% of total captures, respectively. The beneficial species were dominated by Oenopia conglobata (n = 296; 46.9%), whereas the most abundant harmful species was Nysius cymoides (n = 56; 25.33%). Beneficial and harmful species exhibited higher abundance in corrugated cardboard shelters installed at 1.5 height. The highest (36.3) and the lowest (8.0%) individual counts for beneficial species were noted in Karak & ouml;pr & uuml; and Eyy & uuml;biye orchards, respectively. Suru & ccedil; orchard had the highest species richness (17 species) for harmful fauna. Species richness, Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou's evenness indices indicated that higher installation heights constantly enhanced insect colonization, with linen burlap shelters exhibiting highest species diversity for harmful fauna (Shannon diversity index of 2.5 at 1.5 m). These results indicate that artificial overwintering shelters are effective for monitoring insect populations, facilitating early detection, and improving pest management strategies by promoting beneficial insect conservation and reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.