Impact of predatory insects and weather factors on aphids on kale intercropping

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of predatory insects associated with soil and weather factors on aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in kale single and intercropped with sorghum or pigeon pea. The sampling was fortnightly, with predatory insects being sampled with trap traps. Kale intercropped with sorghum the two species of aphids were more related to predatory insects and weather factors. In kale with sorghum or pigeon pea there was a potential predation between Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Polpochila impressifrons (Dejean) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and the two species of aphids. The maximum and minimum temperature , relative humidity and insolation were the physical factors that acted on the occurrence of B. brassicae and L. erysimi in kale intercropped with sorghum or pigeon pea. Kale single meteorological factors and predatory insects were less related to the occurrence of B. brassicae and L. erysimi.