Egbon Ikponmwosa N, Dingha Beatrice N, Mukoko Gilbert N, Jackai Louis E
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA.
Insects. 2025 Jul 16;16(7):724. doi: 10.3390/insects16070724.
This study investigates arthropod assemblage in cowpea, hemp, and watermelon grown both as monocrops and intercrops using three sampling techniques: direct visual counts, sticky cards, and pan traps. A total of 31,774 arthropods were collected, spanning two classes [Arachnida (0.07%) and Insecta (99.93%)], 11 orders, and 82 families representing diverse functional groups. Arachnids were represented by a single family (Araneae). Among insects, the composition included Diptera (36.81%), Thysanoptera (24.64%), Hemiptera (19.43%), Hymenoptera (11.58%), Coleoptera (6.84%), Lepidoptera (0.076%) and Blattodea, Odonata, Orthoptera, Psocodea (≤0.005%). Roughly 10% of the total arthropods were pollinators, while the remainder were primarily herbivores and predators. Apidae were abundant in all treatments except for watermelon monocrops. Intercropping supported more pollinators, particularly Apidae, Halictidae, and Sarcophagidae. However, herbivores dominated (>50%) in each system, largely due to high presence of thrips and cicadellids. Predators accounted for approximately 30%, with dolichopodids (Diptera) being the most dominant. Watermelon yield increased by 30-60% in the intercrop systems. While intercropping increases overall arthropod abundance, it also creates a more balanced community where beneficial organisms are not heavily outnumbered by pests and contributes to enhanced ecological resilience and crop performance.
本研究采用直接目视计数、粘虫板和水盘诱捕三种采样技术，调查了单作和间作种植的豇豆、大麻和西瓜中的节肢动物群落。共收集到31774只节肢动物，分属两个纲[蛛形纲（0.07%）和昆虫纲（99.93%）]、11个目和82个科，代表了不同的功能类群。蛛形纲仅由一个科（蜘蛛科）代表。在昆虫中，组成包括双翅目（36.81%）、缨翅目（24.64%）、半翅目（19.43%）、膜翅目（11.58%）、鞘翅目（6.84%）、鳞翅目（0.076%）以及蜚蠊目、蜻蜓目、直翅目、啮目（≤0.005%）。约10%的节肢动物为传粉者，其余主要是植食性动物和捕食性动物。除西瓜单作外，所有处理中蜜蜂科都很丰富。间作支持了更多传粉者，尤其是蜜蜂科、隧蜂科和麻蝇科。然而，每个系统中植食性动物占主导地位（>50%），主要是由于蓟马和叶蝉数量众多。捕食性动物约占30%，长足虻科（双翅目）最为占优势。间作系统中西瓜产量提高了30 - 60%。虽然间作增加了节肢动物的总体丰度，但它也创造了一个更平衡的群落，其中有益生物的数量不会被害虫大量超过，并有助于增强生态恢复力和作物表现。
