Effects of three Spodoptera litura control strategies on arthropod diversity and abundance in tobacco agroecosystems in south China

Effect of three Spodoptera litura control strategies, viz. use of trap crop plus biological control, chemical control only, and a-control with no intervention, on the environment, diversity and abundance of arthropods were studied in the tobacco field. Choice of S. litura control strategy had a significant effect on the diversity and abundance of arthropods in the tobacco agro-ecosystems. The results indicated that the abundance and diversity of arthropods increased significantly when tobacco was intercropped with a trap crop particularly Colocasia esculenta. Diversity of arthropods was significantly higher under the trap crop plus biological control strategy than under chemical, or non-control condition. In addition, trap crop plus biological control strategy increased the number of natural enemies in the field, which is possibly a reflection of higher levels of food availability (higher arthropod abundance) in these fields. Thus, the stability of arthropod community was better under trap crop plus biological control strategy than under chemical or non-control strategy. Based on the results of our study, the trap crop plus biological control strategy may give an efficient and sustainable control of tobacco pests in the field.