BUGS (HYMENOPTERA) IN ENTOMOCENOSIS OF ALFALFA

Abstract

Perennial crops of alfalfa with modern high degree of plowing of the
steppes and a limited set of agricultural crops, serve as storage stations for a diverse hortobiontic entomofauna, which contributes to the conservation of its biodiversity and the stabilization of cultivated lands. This is due to the presence in the alfalfa entomocenosis of insects
with various nutritional requirements – phytophages, parasites and predators, pollinators, neutral heterophagous species. Bugs, when exceeding the economic injury level (EIL), can reduce
the yield of alfalfa seeds and other crops. In recent years, in a number of regions of our country, there has been an increase in the number and expansion of the species composition of
bugs on field crops. The article describes the identified in 2021-2022 species composition of
bugs, which live on alfalfa crops in the Central Pre-Caucasus.17 species of bugs from 8 families and 15 genera were identified. The fauna of hemiptera insects or bugs on alfalfa crops is
quite diverse.They represent a rather significant component of the entomocenosis of this crop
in terms of species diversity, number and potential harmfulness. In phytosanitary terms, because of mass reproduction, some species may pose danger to the yield of alfalfa seeds and to
populate other crops: legumes, goosefoot family, parsley family, cruciferous. Currently, 5
species of bugs are dangerous for alfalfa – alfalfa plant bug, lygus bug, sloe bug, beet caspid
bug and adventitious species Nezara viridula, the number of which requires monitoring. Predatory bugs from alfalfa crops can spread to neighboring crops, destroying pests, which serves
to increase the stability of agrobiocenosis.