Comparing Arthropod Functional Diversity Across Agroecosystem Edges

Madeline G. Grace^1,* and Daniel M. Pavuk¹

¹Bowling Green State University, 1001 E Wooster Street, Bowling Green, OH 43403. *Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 33, Issue 1 (2026): 88–103

First published early online: 12 March 2026

Abstract
Anthropogenic activities, particularly rapid agricultural expansion, have reduced biodiversity and fragmented habitats. Incorporating non-crop habitat within farmland can enhance biodiversity by supporting beneficial arthropods. Yet, the functional diversity of arthropods in semi-natural field edges remains understudied. We examined parasitoids, pollinators, predators, and herbivores in Zea mays (Corn) and Glycine max (Soybean) edges during late-season crop senescence, when arthropods shift from crops to edges. Both crop types had similar overall species composition and relatively high diversity, though functional groups differed slightly in representation. These subtle shifts may influence how ecosystem services are distributed across the landscape. Our results underscore the value of conserving semi-natural margins as reservoirs of functionally diverse arthropod communities and highlight the need for further work on edge-driven species interactions.

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