Spatio-temporal variations of functional groups in a Populus nigra L. entomocenosis in the Mitidja plain (Algeria)

This study presents the first data describing the communities of insects and arachnida colonizing 4 aerial compartments of Populus nigra. In terms of temporal variation and total abundance, the analyses show that the communities are structurally and functionally different. It also appears that the taxonomic richness of the communities, and partly their temporal distribution, change according to the gradient of the energy and defense resources under the effect of seasonal variations. The highest species richness recorded on the leaves compartment is due to the amplitude of histo-physiological modifications observed throughout the growing season.