epigeic arthropods, foliar arthropods, foliar insecticides, systemic insecticide, rainfallsBENEFICIAL ARTHROPOD COMMUNITIES IN COMMERCIAL POTATO FIELDS

In the frames of the F7P Project "Assessing and monitoring the impact of genetically modified plants on agro-ecosystems, (AMIGA)", the partner from Bulgaria was involved in monitoring and collecting data describing the arthropods communities, representative for five biogeographical regions of Europe. Our investigations were focused on beneficial arthropod fauna in a typical potato region of Bulgaria (Samokov area). They were conducted in three consecutive years (2013-2015). Pitfall traps were used to study epigeic arthropod fauna and plant-dwelling arthropods were visually observed. The plant protection systems and meteorological data were documented. Our monitoring of the biodiversity and abundance of natural inhabitants in a typical commercial potato plantation showed that pest management based on foliar or systemic application of chemical pesticides influence negatively the abundance of beneficial arthropod communities. These data could serve as a background to predict the potential impact of eventual changes in agricultural practices. In addition, our study contributes for the development of a database describing the various agricultural biogeographical regions at European level.