The communities structure of invertebrate fauna from rape and alfalfa crops (Singureni, Giurgiu county, Romania)

Abstract

The present study has been conducted under a bilateral project between Romania and Republic of Moldova, focusing on knowledge of the invertebrates from rape (Brassica napus L.) and alfalfa crops (Medicago sativa L.) from Singureni (Giurgiu County, Southern Romania). The communities structure of invertebrates fauna in term of species composition and numerical abundance were analyzed. In total, 15 species of Collembola from seven families and 38 species of Coleoptera from 17 families were identified. Entomobrya handschini, Lepidocyrtus paradoxus, Isotoma anglicana were abundant in the alfalfa crop and Hemisotoma thermophyla, Protaphorura sakatoi, Orchesella flavescens (Collembola) were abundant in the rape culture. From Coleoptera Order, Dermestes murinus, Brachinus crepitans and Epicometis hirta were dominant in the rape crop. Coccinella septempunctata and Gonioctena fornicata were dominant in the alfalfa. Also, another 385 specimens from different taxonomic groups (Heteroptera, Homoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Thysanoptera, Orthoptera and Araneae) were collected using sweep nets. Some crop pests invertebrates were indicated and the beneficial predators were also revealed.