Many omnivorous arthropods are important natural enemies because they can feed on plantprovided pollen and several prey species, and thus persist in crops even in the absence of the target pest. Hence, populations of these predators can be established in a crop by providing alternative food, thus increasing biological control. We investigated how alternative food affects broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) control on chilli pepper plants by predatory mites. The predatory mite Amblyseius herbicolus had high oviposition and population growth rates when fed with cattail pollen, chilli pepper pollen and bee-collected pollen, and a low rate on the alternative prey Tetranychus urticae. Supplementing pepper plants with pollen resulted in better control of broad mite populations. Release of A. herbicolus on young plants with weekly addition of honeybee pollen until plants produce flowers seems a viable strategy to sustain populations of this predator, thus protecting young, vulnerable plants from broad mite infestations.

Although several studies about intercropping green manures with vegetable crops have already been carried out, there are few studies in which the economic analysis was performed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the economic profitability of the taro and Crotalaria juncea consortium, as well as broccoli, green maize and snow pea grown in succession. The treatments correspond to 10 different cutting dates of the sunn hemp during its intercropping with taro (55, 70, 85, 100, 115, 130, 145, 160, 190 and 220 DAS-days after sowing), plus the monoculture of the taro. Under the legumious cover crop straw were grown in succession: broccoli, green maize and snow pea. The use of Crotalaria juncea in a consortium does not affect the productivity and economic profitability of the taro when cutting up to 130 DAS. The residual effect of Crotalaria juncea grown in consortium with taro increases the economic yield of broccoli when the cutting is performed from 145 DAS. However, it does not affect green maize and snow pea. When the taro is cultivated intercropped with Crotalaria juncea and in succession broccoli, green maize and snow pea are grown, higher yields and economic incomes are obtained by cutting the leguminous green manure up to 130 DAS.