Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXIX, Issue 1
Written by Ana-Maria VÎRTEIU, Lucian HELEREA, Florin PRUNAR, Silvia PRUNAR, Ioana GROZEA
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) provides a long-term agricultural habitat in which arthropod assemblages can develop and persist, making it a suitable system for examining faunal responses to environmental constraints. In recent climatic contexts, hydric stress has emerged as a key factor shaping arthropod distribution and community structure within agroecosystems. This study was conducted during the 2024 growing season in an experimental alfalfa field located in Ghilad, western Romania, at a stage corresponding to the third year of crop establishment and under conditions of reduced water availability. Arthropod fauna was surveyed from April to September through monthly sampling events using sweep netting and direct visual observations, followed by laboratory-based taxonomic identification. The arthropod fauna recorded under hydric stress conditions comprised eight major taxonomic orders, with Coleoptera and Hemiptera accounting for the highest numerical dominance. Community composition was strongly skewed toward phytophagous species, particularly Phytodecta fornicata and Aphis craccivora, which together represented a substantial proportion of
the total abundance. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences among orders, families, and species, indicating a pronounced functional imbalance within the assemblage. Overall, the observed taxonomic and functional patterns highlight the influence of hydric stress on the distribution and relative dominance of arthropod groups associated with alfalfa agroecosystems.
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{simplepopup popup="false" name="Citation76"}VIRTEIU A.M., HELEREA L., PRUNAR F., PRUNAR S., GROZEA I. 2026, ARTHROPOD FAUNA BIODIVERSITY IN ALFALFA AGROECOSYSTEMS UNDER HYDRIC STRESS CONDITIONS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY. Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXIX, Issue 1, ISSN 2285-5785, 611-619. {/simplepopup}