Intercropping, or the use of different aspects of the interaction between organisms in ecosystems, can be classified as an ecological method that limits harmful human interference in the environment, especially the consumption of chemicals. The impact of intercropping carrot with coriander Coriandrum sativum L. and summer savory Satureja hortensis L. on the occurrence of select carrot pests was estimated in the years 2010-2011. Intercropping had a significant effect on the decrease of the number of roots damaged by carrot rust fly Psila rosae. During harvest, the least number of damaged roots was observed in combination with summer savory S. hortensis L. The number of carrot psyllid Trioza viridula Zett. and aphids on carrot leaves and roots damaged by nematodes was significantly lower on plots where carrot was intercropped. Intercropping both herbs had a positive influence on the number of beneficial insects. In all of the years of the study, the highest number of Coccinellidae and Syrphidae were observed on plots where carrot was intercropped with coriander.

In a study of the performance of Aplzis,fabm Scop. on 6 British and 3 Polish cultivars of I/iria,fuha L., the aphid showed a poor mean relative growth rate (MRGR) on the Polish cultivar Hangdown Bialy (p = < 0.05). Measurements of fecundity, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r,) and MRGR were obtained on a large number of individual plants. Correlations between MRGR and both r, or fecundity for individual plants across cultivars were not significant. Although within cultivars, individual plants of Aquadulce and Relon showed significant positive correlations of aphid MRGR on fecundity and r, respectively, the two correlations accounted for less than 20% of the variation in MRGR and no such correlations were found for the other seven cultivars. Although MRGR showed the highest residual variance (in relation to the mean) of the three performance indicators assessed, it nonetheless proved to provide the best discrimination between the cultivars tested. It is suggested that this is because MRGR is less subject to 'maternal influence' than fecundity or r,. I VAN EMDEN, H. F.; BASHFORD, M. A,, 1969: A comparison of the reproduction of Breaicor-yne brassicae and Myzus persicae in relation to soluble nitrogen concentrations and leaf age (leaf position) in the Brussels sprout plant. Ent. KINDLEMANN, P.; DIXON, A. F. G.; GROSS, L. J., 1992: The relationship between individual and population growth rates in multicellular organisms. J. Theor. Biol. 157, 535-542. WYATT, I. J.; WHITE, P. F., 1977: Simple estimation ofintrinsic rates of aphids and tetranychid mites. J. Appl. Ecol. 14, EXP. Appl. 12, 351-364. 757-766.

The aim of the study was to determine the extent of heavy metal accumulation (Zn, Cd and Pb) in the bodies of females of the predatory species Polistes nimphus (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). The insects were captured in areas affected by the proximity of ZGH "Bolesław" -an industrial complex located in Bukowno near Olkusz (southern Poland), whose main activity is mining and processing of lead and zinc ores.Three sites that differed in terms of distance from the source of contamination and also in the concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in the top soil layer were selected. The heavy metal content of the soil was determined for each site. The most contaminated site was located in the immediate vicinity of ZGH "Bolesław" (4326.50 mg/kg Zn, 56.96 mg/kg Cd, 3977.00 mg/kg Pb); the least contaminated was the site furthest away from the source of contamination (48.75 mg/kg Zn, 0.72 mg/kg Cd, 25.43 mg/kg Pb).On all the sites, during the two-year study (2015)(2016), individuals of the genus Polistes were captured and female wasps of the species P. nimphus were isolated from among them. Then the extent of accumulation of Zn, Cd and Pb in their bodies was determined. Correlations between the concentrations of Cd, Zn and Pb in the soil and those in insect bodies were calculated.On all three sites, in both years of the study, the concentrations of heavy metals in insect bodies changed depending on their concentrations in the soil. The highest levels of the accumulated Zn, Cd and Pb were always observed on the site located in the vicinity of ZGH "Bolesław". The lowest values were observed on the site furthest away from the source of contamination. The concentrations of all three metals in the bodies of insects increased with their increasing concentrations in the soil, but the differences were not statistically significant.

During the 2008-2009 time period, the effect of phacelia grown with broad bean on the presence of Syrphidae in colonies of Aphis fabae Scop. as well as the attractiveness of phacelia flowers for syrphid adults was researched. In A. fabae colonies, 9 Syrphidae species were collected. On plots with phacelia, less aphids and more syrphid larvae, compared to the homogenous crop, were observed. The dominant species were: Episyrphus balteatus, Shaerophoria scipta, Syrphus ribesii and Epistrophe eligans. Among the 9 species of Syrphidae collected from tansy phacelia flowers, the same species dominated as those noted in A. fabae colonies on broad beans intercropped with phacelia.Sowing plants of value to Syrphidae, such as phacelia, is probably the ideal habitat management option for early occurrence of syrphids. Such a practice result in the reduction in crop damage by aphids.