Diversity and Abundance of Predatory Arthropods on Immature and Mature Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Plantations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Predatory arthropods may play a crucial role in decreasing the pest population that causes a significant loss in oil palm production. In this study, we investigated the diversity of predatory arthropods and their abundance on immature and mature oil palm plantation grown in Aceh Tamiang, Sumatra, Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arthropod predators were collected by using light trap, yellow-pan trap and pitfall trap that were placed on an immature and mature oil palm plantation. Specimens were sorted and identified in the Laboratory. RESULTS: The results showed that there were 674 individuals arthropod predators (insects and spiders) consisted of 7 orders, 22 families and 37 morphospecies collected in the immature plantation. While in mature plantation, arthropod predators found were 740 individuals consisted of 6 orders 23 families and 42 morphospecies. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) dominated other families regarding morphospecies and individual numbers. There was no significant difference in term of species richness and abundance of predators between both phases of the plantation which implied that the two plantations hosted a similar composition and abundance of predators. The diversity indices of predators calculated in both plantations showed that the predators were categorized as middle level of diversity and middle level of individual distribution, However, the community is unstable. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that predatory predators were present in similar structure in both phases of oil palm plantations. Efforts to conserve them are needed to enhance their performance as part of a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for controlling pests in oil palm plantation.