Arthropod communities in jujube-grain intercropping system: Composition and time series dynamics.
枣粮间作系统节肢动物群落组成与时序动态

In order to reveal the correlations between the arthropod communities in two sub-systems (jujube yard and grain field) of jujube-grain intercropping system, an investigation was conducted on the composition and time series dynamics of the communities in the two sub-systems. A total of 14 936 arthropod individuals belonging to 14 orders and 96 families were found, among which, 5 992 individuals of 14 orders and 82 families were in jujube yard and 8 971 of 14 orders and 80 families were in grain field, and some differences were observed in the arthropod community structure between the two sub-systems. The time series dynamics of the arthropod communities could be divided into four periods, according to the optimal cut-apart of time series, i.e., decline period in grain field sub-system, species number increase period in whole system, steady period in whole system, and decline period in whole system. The primary natural enemies in the system showed a characteristic of transferring between the two sub-systems in the four periods, and the parasitical natural enemies in a sub-system could impact the pest insects in another sub-system. The species transferring and mutual effect of the arthropod communities between the two sub-systems could benefit the stability of the jujube-grain intercropping system, and the capability of the system in controlling pest insects.