Name: Joel Soriano, John Rey Loking Score: ____________

Course/Year: Beneficial Microorganisms and Arthropods/ BSA Agro 3 Date:

Laboratory exercise No. 2

Agric 5 (Beneficial Arthropods and Microorganisms)
THE BIOLOGICAL WORLD-SURVEY COLLECTION AND IDENTIFICATION

Introduction

Insects, arachnids, and other terrestrial arthropods are important because together they
comprise at least 75 per cent of the one million species of animals in the world now known to science.
Estimates of the actual number of insects and related forms now living range from 3 million (Wilson
1989) to 30 million (Erwin 1983). Therefore, whatever the total, a great deal of fundamental scientific
work remains to be done.

The dominance of insects and arachnids among the world’s animals is a fundamental scientific
insight, yet one not widely appreciated. This dominance means that in numbers of species beyond our
comprehension these animals permeate diverse and essential natural processes in Earth’s terrestrial and
freshwater ecosystems, contributing to the function of the natural world as self-sustaining biological
system (e.g. Wiggins 1983).

The importance of insects and arachnids on this planet is not reckoned solely on the destructive
competition of relatively few species in agriculture or forestry or other activities of humans, even though
these include problems of great importance. A more essential consideration is their diverse and
fundamental involvement in biological support systems-consumption and degradation of organic
materials living and dead, predation and parasitism on other insects and animals, biogeochemical
cycling, pollinations of flowers for fruit and seed production, and movement of energy through trophic
networks involving multitudes of other species. Evolving over some 400 million years, terrestrial
arthropods have come to occupy these niches on Earth; and the resultant interconnected biological
support systems are the foundation for the continued existence of much of life on this planet. Simply
put, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems would not work without insects and arachnids.

Scientific investigation of these essential natural processes is severely hampered because a very
large proportion of the arthropod species involved cannot be identified, and hence precise knowledge of
the processes cannot be obtained. A world-wide deficiency ins studies on the biology of soil-dwelling
insects and arachnids is one striking example (Marshall et al. 1982); lack of precision in studies on the
ecology of freshwater communities is another (Resh and Unzicker 1975; Schindler 1989).

Other sector of biology concerned with problems confronting humans also suffer from the
inability of science to identify the arthropod species involved. Problems arising, for example, from
insecticidal chemicals in agriculture and forestry – resistance, toxic residues, and harmful effects on
beneficial species – demand advances in biological control and integrated pest management as never
before (Dahlsten 1983). The environmental fine-tuning required in pest management depends on
accurate identification in all stages of development of the species involved in a system, knowledge
which in turn requires adequate taxonomy (Evans 1973). Costly errors in biological control programs
have been caused by erroneous information on identity of species (e.g. Danks 1988). Large untapped
potential for classical biological control of pest species still exists, but the screening and selection of
appropriate parasites and predators from various parts of the world will make new demands on
taxonomy that far exceed current levels of knowledge (Caltagirone 1981; Kim 1980). Debilitating
diseases transmitted by arthropods still cause severe problems for humans and livestock in many
countries. Recognition of vector species and of populational differences in their efficacy, information
wholly dependent on precise identification of the species involved, is often critical for control of these
diseases.

Insects and arachnids are an integral and complex part of the terrestrial and freshwater
ecosystems with which the future of humans is inextricably linked; therefore knowledge about the
ecological relationships of these animals is a practical necessity.

Objectives:

1. To familiarize students with the biological organization of a particular ecosystem, specifically

agroecosystem.
2. To develop among students the appreciation of the role of each organism in the biological world.
3. To familiarize students with the roles played by the different organisms found in the
agroecosystems under survey.
4. To develop skills of students in surveying, collecting and identifying organisms in an
agroecosystem.

Materials

Quadrat
Collecting jars
Forceps
Stereomicroscope
Insect Net and other collecting gadgets
Traps

Methodology

A. For soil Arthropods

1. Pitfall Traps

Bury empty tin cans or plastic jars in 10 strategic parts of a one-hectare field. Put water and
detergent in the cans or jars to prevent the trapped arthropods from escaping.
After 24 hours, collect and identify the trapped arthropods.

B. Plant-Dwelling Arthropods
(Note: you have to choose what crop you are going to use in this laboratory. You only select two
crops. Then follow the procedure below)

1. Select a specific field crop/fruit/plantation crops.

2. For Rice, Corn, and vegetables, randomly select 20 hills using and X or Z pattern
3. Collect all the arthropods in these sample hills
4. Identify up to Order Level
5. Determine its role in the agroecosystem (primary consumers, secondary, etc.)
6. For fruit and plantation crops, choose 5 trees
7. Collect specimens from all the four directions (east, west, north, south)
8. Tabulate all results
9. Properly pin hard-bodied specimens and for soft-bodied specimens, place them in vials with 70% ethyl
alcohol.
10. Label all specimens with Date, Locality, and Collector.
11. Label all specimens up to Order Level. Submit all specimens collected. Make sure that these
collections are properly sealed (especially those specimens preserved in vials) so that they will not spill
out in the box where you place them.

Results and Discussion

Guide for the discussion:

1. Present all data in tabular forms

2. Discuss results based on their abundance and their role in type agroecosystem

3. Support discussion with pictorials if deemed necessary

4. Include necessary citations and make Literature Cited

Table 01: Represent Using Pitfall Traps In Eggplants and Durian trees

Pitfall trap Number and number of trapped Role in the

Arthropods and organisms Insect Order Agroecosyste
other ms
organisms
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 Diplopoda Saprophages
1. Millipede
2.Grasshopper 1 Orthoptera Herbivores

3. Cricket 1 1 Orthoptera Herbivores

4. Black Ant 2 2 Hymenoptera Predator

5. Brown Ant 1 Hymenoptera Predator

 a. Based on the results the millipede, grasshopper cricket, black ant, and brown ant the
abundance of these insect’s can vary greatly depending on factor’s like location,
climates, and time of year. Their role in type agro ecosystem Millipede is Sapporo
pages ,the grasshopper and cricket are herbivores, and the Black ant and brown ant are
predator .

Table 02: Represent Using Nets Traps

1. Crop: Durian, Coconut, Rambutan, Calamansi, Cacao

Arthropods and other Crops Hills and Number of Arthropods or

organisms Organisms
East West North South
Rambutan 1
Dragonfly
Coconut 1
Butterfly
Calamansi 1
Grasshopper
Durian 1
Spider
Cacao 1
Black Wasp

Documentation: