Spatial distribution of an arthropod community in a pear orchard (southern France) Identification of a hedge effect

Spatial distribution of an arthropod community in a pear orchard, southern France, was studied. The sensitive variables considered were the mean wind speed, the wind speeds from the north, northeast and northwest, the mean temperature, rainfall levels and rainfall intensity. No significant differences were observed between the years regarding mean temperature, rainfall variables, wind speed and the speed of the wind coming from the northwest. The results showed that the increase in psyllid populations in a zone not protected from the wind demonstrated the impact of climate conditions on the clustering characteristics of the pest, and the usefulness of windbreak structures to their management.