A STUDY OF THE INCIDENCE OF INSECTS ON A LEUCAENA-LEUCOCEPHALA PLANTATION INTERCROPPED WITH MAIZE AT 15 AND 40 DAYS AFTER SOWING

An insect population in a Leucaena plantation intercropped with maize at 15 and 40 days after sowing was studied during establishment. Sampl es were taken with an entomological net with 60 trappings/sample every two weeks. Contingency tables and proportion comparisons were used fo r analysing the data. The main insects affecting Leucaena were: Hetero psylla cubana (148-938) and Euxesta stigmatias (9-81) which had a lowe r incidence in maize and weeds. In maize,insect infestation was neglig ible and a high population of Dorn taeniatum, preying on larvae nymphs (Spodoptera frugiperda) was observed. However in weeds the highest inc idence was of Draeculacephala cubana, Hortensia simiIis, Polymerus cun eatus and Diabrotica balteata. The presence of Mocis latipes was negig ible. Regardless the number of insects collected, no important detrime ntal effect was found in crops. The results demonstrate that there was a greater incidence when plants were intercropped at 15 days and lowe r at 40 days. It is concluded that on intercropping at 15 days, the nu mber of insects did not damage maize nor Leucaena during establishment and a land use is more efficient.