The composition, abundance and diversity of predatory insects occurring on canopies of Citrus sinensis Tenore var. Montenegrina, in Montenegro, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were studied from March 2004 to March 2005. A total of 658 predaceous insects were collected, representing 51 species from ten families and five orders, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Thysanoptera and Hemiptera. The most abundant species were Camponotus sp. 1 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) (16.87%) and Coccidophilus sp. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) (11.85%). The highest abundance, richness and evenness of predatory insects were recorded in spring, although no significant difference among seasons has been found.
Citrus; diversity; Insecta; predation; species richness
