Diversity and Ecology of Orthoptera of Some Agricultural Areas in Northern Algeria

Abstract

A study on the orthopterologic diversity was performed in three different agro-ecosystems in northern Algeria, located at Baba-Ali, Ain-Taya and Cap-Djinet. The first two stations are part of the plain of Mitidja. Inventories carried out were conducted over a period of 12 months; November-December 1996/1997 for Baba-Ali and Ain-Taya stations, and September-August 2010/2011 for Cap-Djinet station. The settlement of the identified orthopteric revealed a total of 25 species, 8 Ensifera and 17 Caelifera. Acrididae Family accounts only 15 species are spread over 6 subfamilies, 60% of the identified orthopterofauna. The highest total richness and the specific average richness per survey and station values were recorded in October 1997: 8 – 4, 2 Baba-Ali, 10-5,2 Ain-Taya; and in August 2011: 13 – 6,2 Cap-Djinet. According to the Shannon-Weaver diversity index, the surveyed areas have a diverse orthopterofauna particularly in spring and autumn when the number of individuals is equally distributed between species (0,62 < E < 0, 97).