Comparison of relative abundance and diversity of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), under two production systems in the La Araucanía Region, Chile

Abstract

M. Vera, A. Aguilera, and R. Rebolledo. 2010. Comparative study of the relative abundance and diversity of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) under two production systems in La Araucania Region, Chile. Cien. Inv. Agr. 37(2):123-129. Coccinellids have been used, throughout the world, in biological control programs of agriculture pests. In Chile this family has been studied by various authors, which addresses issues such as biology, predatory activity and distribution in herbaceous species, shrubs and trees, but their situation in blueberries, where there is an abundance of species, is unknown Coccinellid beetles were counted visually on two blueberry orchards, under organic and conventional management. This study was conducted at the Maquehue Experiment Station, in the central valley of "La Araucania Region" in southern Chile, from September 2007 through May 2008 and was divided into two periods: from September 2007 through February 2008 with visual counts only on the foliage of the plants, and from March through May 2008 counts were done on the foliage and on of the plant in the soil around the plants. The greatest number of species was recorded in the organic garden in both sampling periods, but species diversity was the same for both production systems. Specify results better.