Diversity of Beneficial Insect in Corn Plantation at West Sumatra

Abstract

The corn plant is one of Indonesia's agricultural products with economical and strategic value and many potential to develop, such as the main carbohydrates and protein source. There are two types of beneficial insects in corn planting: predators and parasitoids. This study aims to know the diversity of beneficial insects in corn plantations. It was conducted from May – September 2019 in four different locations across West Sumatra, namely Padang Pariaman, West Pasaman, Pesisir Selatan, Solok Regencies. Identification of beneficial insects was made in Entomology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University. This study adopted a purposive sampling method using swing net 20 times, following the transect line of corn planting. The result showed five orders, 34 families, 101 morphospecies, and 747 beneficial insects in all locations. The diversity in each place varies from high, medium, and low. In all areas, the diversity index was high, with the criteria of ≥ 2.90, which means that the condition of the community structure was very stable. From the evenness index analysis, three locations were classified as high, and the other one was moderate. These three sites were Padang Pariaman, West Pasaman, and Solok, with criteria of ≥ 0.90 and very stable distribution conditions.