Predator-prey association among selected arthropod species in the cropland of mixed-crop zone (MCZ) and cotton-wheat zone (CWZ).

Wheat, brassica and fodders (maize, sorghum and alfalfa) were sampled for various arthropod taxa in the mixed-crop (MC) and cotton-wheat (CW) zones of Punjab and predatorprey densities were calculated. Line graphs of predator-prey ratio (p/p) in eight monthly samples were plotted for each predator and its prey species. The most linear horizontal pattern thus obtained revealed an association of a predator to its prey(s). Significance of the association was ascertained by simple linear regression on the relative abundances of both the groups. Findings are helpful in applying a speciesspecific biological control in nature.