Assessment of Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Biodiversity and Abundance of Arboriculture in a North-Eastern part of Algeria

Abstract

Aphids form large group of insects, belonging to the Aphididae family. They are carecterized by a small, soft-bodied insects that belong to the superfamily Aphidoidea. Aphids are containing many species that cause damage in cultivated crops. There are over 4.000 species of aphids that have been described and they can be found in a variety of habitats throughout the world. Aphids are sap-sucking insects that cause yellowing, curling leaves, stunted growth and sticky "honeydew" residue; often resulting in black sooty mold. Common on vegetables, roses and shrubs, they multiply rapidly in spring. Aphids, through their feeding and virus transmission, represent a significant phytosanitary constraint, since they are defined as a major pest of agriculture. Arboriculture is a key component of sustainable agriculture, integrating ecological and socio-economic functions. This study assessed aphid diversity in apricot and plum (Prunus) orchards in the Tizi-Ouzou region, Algeria. The sampling was conducted in Oued-Aissi from February to July 2023 period. In apricot orchards, 20 aphid species were recorded, dominated by Hyalopterus pruni (73.41%) with a peak in diversity in March. In plum orchards, 25 species were identified, with Saltusaphis scirpus being the most abundant (23.19%) and showing the highest diversity in May. H. pruni persisted throughout the entire sampling period in both hosts. The abundance of winged aphids followed the phenology of the hosts, peaking during the flowering of apricots and plums and remaining low at other times. The positive interactions between species suggest a stable balance in untreated Prunus orchards. These results provide information for better phytosanitary guidance and sustainable management strategies.