Community composition and activity rhythm of dominant flower-visiting arthropods from different flowering plants in flue-cured tobacco fields

To explore the composition of visiting flower arthropod communities and the activity rhythm of dominant species on different flowering plants in tobacco fields, we conducted a study using visual observation, sweep netting, and other survey methods to investigate the species composition and visiting characteristics of flower-visiting arthropods on six species of flowering plants in tobacco fields. The results showed that there were 44 flower-visiting arthropods from 34 families in 8 orders on Tagetes erecta, 50 species from 36 families in 9 orders on Vicia villosa, 53 species from 37 families in 7 orders on Fagopyrum esculentum, 55 species from 38 families in 8 orders on Lobularia maritima, 19 species from 17 families in 7 orders on Tifolium repense, and 54 species from 38 families in 8 orders on Argyranthemum frutescens. The dominant species were Frankliniella occidentalis, Apolygus lucorum, Orius similis, Sitobion miscanthi, Musca domestica, Eristalis arbustorum, Eurydema dominulus, Phyllotreta striolata, and Nysius thymi. The occurrence peak, activity rhythm, and behavioral characteristics of each dominant species on different flowering plants were distinct. The main predators, E. arbustorum and O. similis, were found to have the highest visitation proportions on L. maritima (13.52%) and T. erecta (12.35%) respectively. During the peak flowering period of T. erecta and L. maritima, there were visitation peaks of E. arbustorum and O. similis from 10:00 to 13:00 and 12:00 to 14:00 respectively, with the highest visitation frequencies of 2.56 and 1.49 individuals/min respectively. L. maritima and T. erecta had a strong attractive effect on natural enemies such as E. arbustorum and O. similis, not only attracting the most individuals, but also keeping them on the flowers for a longer time with the highest visitation frequency. This finding provides a theoretical basis for the biological control of major tobacco pests such as tobacco aphids and western flower thrips. In conclusion, planting plants such as L. maritima and T. erecta in the ecological system of tobacco fields can serve as excellent carriers for natural enemies. By planting these plants in tobacco fields, it is effective to increase the accumulation of natural enemies such as E. arbustorum and O. similis, thereby achieving the biological control of major tobacco pests such as tobacco aphids and western flower thrips.