Wallon, S., Domingues, A., Lhoumeau, S., Ros-Prieto, A. & Borges, P.A.V. (2026). Arthropod assemblages in EU-certified organic orchards and surrounding hedgerows on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal). Version 1.0. Universidade dos Açores. Samplingevent dataset. DOI: 10.15468/unbsgv
The data presented are part of the COMCHA project (Community-based change: local and traditional knowledge(s) in Nature-based Solutions). This study aims to characterise the beneficial arthropod fauna associated with organic orchards on Terceira Island (Azores), with a particular focus on comparing species composition and abundance between cultivated areas and adjacent hedgerows. Sampling was conducted in six orchards managed under the Organic Production System, using active aerial search and foliage beating methods in both orchard interiors and hedgerow habitats.Overall, a total of 4,819 specimens (adults and juveniles) belonging to 135 taxa were collected, of which 4,714 were identified to species or subspecies level, representing 112 taxa. Endemic species are poorly represented with eight species and 74 specimens. Exotic species dominate with 64 species or subspecies and 1954 specimens. Within this assemblage, 42% (2029 individuals) corresponded to beneficial arthropods. Indeed, spiders, which are among the most important generalist predators in orchard ecosystems and can contribute substantially to natural pest control, were represented in our samples by 42 species and 1,797 specimens. This dataset provides a standardized baseline for comparing arthropod assemblages between orchard interiors and hedgerows in Azorean organic fruit-production systems.
