Prédation du hérisson d'Algérie Atelerix algirus (Insectivora,Erinaceidae) sur quelques organismes nuisibles aux végétaux dans les milieux agricoles à Djelfa (Algérie)

The diet of the hedgehog Atelerix algirus was studied in three agricultural areas located in the Djelfa region in the Algerian highlands. This allowed 134 prey species to be identified. Among these species insects were dominant with very high presence rates in the 3 stations: 96.2% in Taicha, 95.3% in El Khayzar and 98.1% in Guayaza. Among these insects the most commonly consumed pests are Rhizotrogus sp. (AR% = 24.3%) and Zabrus sp. (AR% = 15.6%) in the Taicha station; Formicidae sp. ind. (AR% = 18.3%) and Messor sp. (AR% = 11.5%) at El Khayzar and Messor sp. (AR% = 29.5%) and Messor arenarius (AR% = 12.6%) in the Guayaza station. The authors also noted the consumption by A. algirus of the crop pests Passer sp. (AR% = 0.17%) at El Khayzar and Meriones shawi (AR% = 0.2%) at Taicha.