[Objectives]  To clarify the community characteristics and stability of arthropods in maize fields adjacent to different crops. [Methods]  The number of arthropod species in maize fields was systematically sampled with traps and visual observation in maize fields adjacent to three different crops; coffee plantations, rice fields, plum orchards, and in a maize monoculture. [Results]  A total of 294 species of arthropods were collected, belonging to 4 classes, 12 orders and 87 families. Compared to the monoculture, the richness, diversity and evenness of arthropods in maize fields adjacent to different crops was higher, but dominance was lower. Different adjacent crops could be ranked with respect to the richness, diversity and evenness of arthropods in maize fields as follows: coffee > rice > plum > maize monoculture. The ranking of different adjacent crops on the N_n/N_p, N_d/N_p, S_n/S_p and S_d/S_p values of maize fields was the same, however, their ranking with respect to the stability index (d_s/d_m value) of maize fields was: coffee < rice < plum < maize monoculture. Maize fields adjacent to coffee plantations had the most stable arthropod communities and maize monocultures the least stable. [Conclusion]  Planting maize adjacent to different crops can increase the stability of arthropod communities in maize fields; maize fields adjacent to coffee plantations have the most stable arthropod community structure.