Research on arachnids and insects stands out that will benefit crop production in Limarí

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The research group at the University of La Serena published two papers this year describing arthropods of economic importance.

Among the transversal valleys of semi-arid Chile, the Limarí River valley, located in the Norte Chico, stands out as an economic focus in agri-food terms, whose surface is currently made up of forage, fruit, wine and horticultural crops. Much of these crops are destined for foreign markets, including the US and Europe. The knowledge and control of agricultural pests is of transcendental importance if we consider that the various fruit crops - such as table vines, avocado trees, olive trees and mandarin trees - represent almost 47% of the fruit trees of the Norte Chico, so it is crucial to prevent some species of insects and arachnids (arthropods) affect production levels and cause rejection in destination markets.insects2

Due to the dynamics of the biodiversity of agroecosystems - which can be influenced by factors such as vegetation, the permanence of various crops, the intensity of their management, degree of isolation of natural vegetation, and drought - the spatial distribution of many Arthropod species can fluctuate over time, which can affect the control and management of pests and natural enemies in them. It is in this context that the work of the Ecological Entomology Laboratory of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of La Serena (LEULS), directed by the academic and entomologist Mg. Jaime Pizarro-Araya has taken on a great role in analyzing and describing the spatial distribution of the richness of arthropods of economic importance in the Limarí River basin.

A special emphasis of this work is placed on species of forestry, agronomic and medical-veterinary importance, which this year has already allowed them to publish two investigations in specialized journals (Norte Grande Geography Magazine y Agricultural Science and Research, both magazines belonging to the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile).

Regarding the impact that both works have for the community, the academic pointed out that “we describe the species of economic importance for the Limarí basin, including diseases and attacks that they can cause in crops and/or animals, and distributional maps of the species are also included. ", and added that "we hope that the present works are real contributions to the community related to Agriculture in the most important basin between the regions of Atacama and Coquimbo."

The entomologist expressed that the short-term impact of these studies is related to increasing knowledge of the potential agricultural and forestry pests that can be found in said basin and knowing how they are distributed at a local spatial scale within this productive area. "On the other hand, this information can be projected in the long term as studies that discuss the importance of pest analysis in the face of commercial opening megaprojects, such as the Aguas Negras Pass," said the ULS researcher, who added that "the importance of phytosanitary protection of the semi-arid basins of Chile and the potential effects of global climate change on both native and introduced biota.

Written by Marcela Gatica, Faculty of Sciences