The authors studied the structure and dynamics of arthropod communitie
s of an orchard ecosystem that ceased after having been intensively ti
lled by man. By the method of soil photoeclectors permanently exposed
from April till November they obtained, during the vegetation period,
an abundant material of arthropods belonging to 21 orders. Eudominant
was the presence of Collembola, Diptera, dominant that of Acarina, Col
eoptera and Homoptera. The cumulative abundance of arthropods reached
the value of 3,854 ex.m-2, the cumulative abundance of beetles that of
279.5 ex.m-2. In the community of beetles species from 23 families we
re present. Phytophagous beetles from the family Curculionidae and pre
dators from families Staphylinidae and Carabidae were dominant. Partic
ular attention was paid to the investigation of the abundance dynamics
of the individual groups of arthropods (inclusive of the emergency ab
undance of pterygote insects) as well as to the detailed analyses of t
heir diversity. Weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), representing impo
rtant primary consumers, were studied in more detail.