Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 29-30/2. (2010)
Zoology
Entomofauna as component of forest ecosystems in Republic of Moldova Along with harmful aphids there are also many aphid species that aren’t harmful and serve as hosts for aphidophagous species. In our forests can be met many non-harmful aphid species with increased density and widely spread on many plants (on Artemisia sp. - aphid species: Macrosiphoniella absinthii (L.), M. artemisiae (В. d. F.), on Cichorium intybus L. - Aphis intybi Koeh, on Salvia sp. - Aphis salviae Walk., on Tanacetum vulgare L. - Metopeurum fuscoviride Stray, on Tragopogon sp. - Brachycaudus tragopogonis (Kalt.). As conclusions, the aphids influence upon the structure of entomofauna and the regional aphidofauna must be preserved as component of the whole forest entomofauna. Among the biggest, most colored and important for forest ecosystems are the insects from order Coleoptera. As result of studies accomplished in landscape reserve „Codrii Tigheci” (2003 — 2007), there were registered 160 species of edaphic coleopterans from 75 genera and 8 families (Carabidae, Silphidae, Staphylinidae, Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Trogidae, Lucanidae, Tenebrionidae). Also, researches on edaphic coleopterans from central and northern zones of the republic were performed [1]. As result another 20 coleopteran species were identified typical for forest ecosystems. Coleopterans have the role of nature sanitars, by maintaining the circuit of energy and matter. Among them there are necrophagous, coprophagous and saprophagous species. Coleopterans from genera Trox, Nicrophorus, Silpha etc. are necrophagous and contribute to the decomposing of corpses, some species from genera Onthophagus, Aphodius, Philonthus, Atheta, Aleochara etc. participate at decomposing of manures. Very important for the circuit of energy and matter in nature are the xylophagous insects, which intensify the process of dead wood dcomposing. Among xylophagous insects can be mentioned the species of family Cerambycidae: Rhagium sycophanta (Sehr), Prionus coriarius (L.), but also many other smaller species from the family Staphylinidae: Habrocerus capillaricornis (Grav), Sepedophilus immaculatus (Steph), S. marshami (Steph), S. obtusus Luze. In order to maintain the number of pest insects the predatory coleopterans have a significant role, they use for food eggs, larvae and small insects. The carabids and staphilinids have a high species diversity and at the same time have an important role in the structure and functionning of forest ecosystems. Being agile predators, they use for food various invertebrates - nematodes, acarians, collembolans for smaller species, larvae and adults of coleopterans, as well as other insects and also mollusks for the larger species. In forest ecosystems inhabit many phytophagous species, but harmful for the forestry are only few of them, among which the species Lytta vesicatoria (L.) and Galerucella luteola (Müll.) are. Another abundant group of forest soil, with a high species and trophic diversity is the order Collembola. The collembolans are a group of pedobiont invertebrates, which play a key role in the processes of humification and recycling of matter and energy in nature. Being mostly destructors of second degree, they decompose all types of plant and animal remains, excrements of other creatures, participate actively in the processes of humus and soil structure formation. Being closely related to soil the collembolans react rapidly to any changes in their living environment and are used in recent years as indicators of ecological status of ecosystems. The widest variety of species, the largest number of individuals is formed by the complexes of collembolans from protected forest areas. Here the anthropogenic influence is minimal, the vegetation layer is abundant and the litter is present in advanced state of decomposition. In such areas collembolan species number and density reach peak values in autumn months up to 40,000 indiviuals/nr. To justify the above mentioned we present the results of multiannual study of collembolans from the State Natural Reserve „Piaiul Fagului”. Between the years 2004 - 2010 studies in State Natural Reserve „Piaiul Fagului” were accomplished, where soil, litter, moss, decayed wood 67
