Superfamily apoidea in organic agrolandscapes of winter wheat

Abstract

Biodiversity of agrocenoses is an indicator of the degree of their anthropogenic transformation and stability. In organic agrolandscapes, the qualitative and quantitative composition of the biocenose and, accordingly, environmental indicators, which include Apoidea, are changing. The aim of the research was to identify the diversity of superfamily Apoidea in the organic agrolandscapes of winter wheat in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The research was carried out at the Skvyra Research Station for organic production. Insects were gathered using the standard entomological aerial insect net (20 waves, 5 repetitions) on the organic fields of winter wheat (phase BBCH 85). Control was the fields of winter wheat with conventional technology. The area of the organic field is 6.12 hectares; studied areas are 100 m2. Representatives of families Halictidae (3 species / 100 m2) and Colletidae (1 species / 100 m2) were found on the organic field of winter wheat. In the ecotones between the field and the forest shelter belt we found families Crabronidae (1 species / 100 m2) and Megachilidae (2 species / 100 m2). Families Andrenidae (1 species / 100 m2), Halictidae (4 species / 100 m2), Megachilidae (2 species / 100 m2) and Colletidae (1 species / 100 m2) were in the forest shelter belts near the organic field. In the conventional field, families Crabronidae (2 species / 100 m2), Andrenidae (1 species / 100 m2) and Colletidae (1 species / 100 m2) were found. Organic farming allows biodiversity to be sustained. However, agrocenoses of winter wheat are artificially created by human semi-natural systems, which should contribute to the sustainability and productivity of agroecosystems. Therefore, amount of bees are less there than in the adjoining forest shelter belt with a more complex structure of biotopes.