Contributions of intercropping systems for diversity and abundance of mite community on Jatropha curcas

Intercropping is an important strategy of pest biological control and has the potential of increasing abundance and diversity of natural enemies. Here we assessed the effect of six management crop systems on the diversity and abundance of mite pests and predatory mites associated to physic nut crops. The following crop systems were evaluated: jack beans ( Canavalia ensiformis ), guinea grass ( Panicum maximum ), signal grass ( Brachiaria brizantha ), cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) in succession to corn ( Zea mays ), physic nut free of spontaneous plants between-rows, and physic nut with spontaneous plants between-rows. Total number of mites was counted and their abundance, diversity and equitability were determined. The most abundant herbivorous mite species found in all crop systems were Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus bastosi . Amblydromalus zannoui , Typhlodromus aripo , Typhlodromus peregrinus and Pronematus sp. were the most abundant predatory mites. Intercropping cowpea in succession to corn favoured the diversity and abundance of predatory mites in physic nut.