Purwatiningsih

Biology Department Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia

Rosa Fitri Indrayani

Biology Department Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia

Kahar Muzakhar

Biology Department Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia

Rudju Winarsa

Biology Department Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/jid.v27i1.60003

ABSTRACT 

Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a horticultural commodity with high economic value, whose productivity is strongly influenced by the presence of insects, acting as pests, predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. This study aimed to analyze the diversity and composition of insect visitors associated with chili plants in Suger Lor Village, Maesan District, Bondowoso Regency. The research was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023 using the sweeping net method in the morning and afternoon for four weeks. Collected insects were identified to the family level and analyzed using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H'), evenness index (E), and Simpson dominance index (C). The results showed that a total of 7 insect orders and 26 families were associated with chili plants. The family Coccinellidae exhibited the highest abundance, followed by Phoridae, Dolichopodidae, and Alydidae. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index value was 2.8, indicating a moderate diversity category. The evenness index value of 0.86 indicated a relatively even distribution of individuals among families, while the Simpson dominance index value of 0.07 indicated the absence of strong dominance by any particular family. These results suggest that the chili agroecosystem at the study site has a relatively stable community structure and the potential to support natural biological control.

Keywords: Chili, Insect diversity, Biological control predator, pest.