Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education
Vol. 18 No. 2 (2026): August 2026

Insect Diversity in Horticultural Crops Frequently Sprayed with Pesticides

Dyah Rini Indriyanti (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia)
Priyantini Widiyaningrum (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia)
Orchida Puspa Jelita (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia)
Laila Khoirun Nada (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia)
Delia Alifia Farreza (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia)
Putri Eka Erwanti (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia)
Noorhidayah Mamat (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Aug 2026

Abstract

Insect diversity reflects the complex interaction between insects and their environment, as demonstrated by their various functional roles, including pollinators, predators, parasitoids, decomposers, and phytophage. In horticultural ecosystems, insect diversity can indicate environmental stability because insects help maintain ecosystem balance and support crop productivity through various ecological interactions. This study aimed to analyze insect diversity in horticultural crops frequently sprayed with pesticides located in Bawen, Semarang Regency, Indonesia. The research was conducted in horticultural plantations to collect insect diversity data using hand-collecting and pitfall trap methods. The insect diversity data were analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H), the evenness index (E) and Simpson's dominance index (D), and Environmental factors. The results show that 4,142 insects were found in this study, belonging to 8 orders, 43 families, and 69 species. The insect diversity index indicates a highly diverse insect community with relatively even distribution of individuals among species and low species dominance, suggesting that the horticultural crops in Bawen are ecologically stable, despite routine pesticide application. Seasonal transition and pesticide use show limited variation in their influence on insect diversity. This study supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), by conserving insect biodiversity in horticultural ecosystems.  

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biosaintifika

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education {PISSN 2085-191X| EISSN 2338-7610} published scientific papers on the results of biology and biology education research {see Focus and Scope}. Editor accepts the article has not been published in other media with the writing format as listed on ...