(STUDIES OF THE EFFECT OF EGYPTIAN CLOVER AND ALFALFA STRUCTURAL NICHES ON THE DIVERSITY OF SELECTED ARTHROPODS (INSECTA AND ARANEIDA

Abstract

"Studies on the effect of Egyptian clover and alfalfa structural niches on the diversity of selected arthropods (Insecta and Araneida)".

Alfalfa and Egyptian clover are important forage and animal feed crops in A.R.E. These crops are unique among field crop agroecosystems. The former represents a relatively long-lasting, well established perennial systems that has been planted as a fodder crop in relatively large areas in newly-reclaimed desert ecosytems. Clover, on the other hand, is an annual that has been traditionally planted in the typical valley agroecosystems.

Cultivated fields of these crops support numerous arthropod species (Insecta and Araneida) and they are generally considered good reservoires for certain potentially destructive phytophagous insect pests as well as naturally-occurring biocontrol agents especially arthropod predators and parasitoids.

Therefore, this study was initiated to relate the plant structural diversity (foliage and blooming stages) to species composition of selected predaceous Heteroptera: Orius (Anthocoridae), Nabis (Nabidae), Geocoris (Lygaeidae) andDeraeocoris (Miridae). Thus, the prime objective of this study is to relate the plant structural niches in time (growing seasons) and in space (Nile Valley and semi-arid ecosystems) to species diversity represented in these ecosystems.