Smith, Roshay2025-06-252024-09Smith, Roshay. (2024). Diversity and Abundance of Arthropods on Conventional Sugarcane under Field Conditions in South Africa. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSapce. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45249https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45249A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science, to the Faculty of Science, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024.Insect diversity and abundance are often the base for formulating strategies that involve the appropriate application of pest control methods, considering the ecosystem services provided by insects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide recent baseline data on the diversity and abundance of insects in conventional sugarcane based on two sugarcane fields in KwaZulu-Natal. Three sampling methods, namely pitfall, sticky and water pan traps, were used to sample insects in rain-fed and irrigated sugarcane in Gingindlovu and Pongola from March to October 2022. This study collected 12 493 insects belonging to 14 insect orders and 88 families in rain-fed sugarcane and 22 309 insects belonging to 14 orders and 94 families in irrigated sugarcane. Significant differences in the diversity indices were found between the sampling methods and the sampling periods. This study provides recent baseline data on the diversity and abundance of insects in sugarcane.en©2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Diversity indicesSampling methodsInsect diversityUCTDDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSDG-15: Life on landSDG-4: Quality education