Occurrence and diversity of insect species in a jujube orchard in Southern Oltenia, Romania

This study aimed to address the lack of comprehensive research on the occurrence and diversity of insect species in jujube orchards. The research focused on identifying key insect species and assessing their potential impacts on the orchard ecosystem. Insect species were sampled from 2022 to 2024 using field surveys with direct observation, and their diversity was analysed based on occurrence. 12 orders, 42 families, and 57 species were identified over the three-year study period. Primary pollinators were found to belong to the Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera orders, while most identified pests were from the Hemiptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera orders. Predators were part of Coleoptera and Araneae, while occasional visitors were part of Coleoptera, Diptera, and Odonata orders. The analysed diversity indices suggest high species diversity and evenness (Shannon-Weiner = 3.593; Simpson’s = 0.461; and Pielou’s Evenness Index = 0.889). The major jujube pests identified were Phaneroptera nana, Halyomorpha halys, Nezara viridula, and Stictocephala bisonia. The study emphasizes the significance of understanding insect biodiversity in agroecosystems, demonstrating that the Chinese jujube is highly attractive to entomofauna. These findings provide valuable insights for future pest management and sustainable farming practices in jujube orchards.