ARS | Publication request: STINK BUG PREFERENCE FOR APPLE CULTIVARS AND PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE OF TRAP CROPPING AS A CONTROL

Submitted to: Annual Cumberland Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 9, 2003
Publication Date: February 1, 2004
Citation: Brown, M.W., Miller, S.S. 2004. Stink bug preference for apple cultivars and preliminary evidence of trap cropping as a control. Annual Cumberland Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference. Vol. 79 (in publication)

Technical Abstract: Stink bugs have recently been shown to be capable of causing significant damage to apples in late summer and fall. A survey was conducted to evaluate the relative preference for apple cultivars by stink bugs. Gala, Rome and York cultivars were found to be least preferred by stink bugs and Braeburn, Empire, red Delicious and Stayman were found to be most preferred. Trees planted close to a strip of dill, buckwheat and marigold were found to have significantly less damage by stink bugs than trees farther from the flowers. There is potential to reduce stink bug damage by planting a trap crop of flowers, or other preferred plant, to attract stink bugs out of the orchard, or to plant apple cultivars that are less preferred.