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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #212712
Title: INTERCROPPING SUNFLOWER VARIETIES WITH BELL PEPPER: EFFECT ON POPULATIONS OF THE MINUTE PIRATE BUG, ORIUS INSIDIOSUS AND THRIPS

Author
item LEGASPI, JESUSA
item BAEZ, IGNACIO

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/9/2007
Publication Date: 10/25/2007
Citation: Legaspi, J.C., Baez, I. 2007. Intercropping sunflower varieties with bell pepper: effect on populations of the minute pirate bug, orius insidiosus and thrips. Meeting Abstract. 1:31

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Eight varieties of sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asterales: Asteraceae) (Bashful, Double Quick Orange, Pro Cut Bicolor, Pro Cut Lemon, Sundance Kid, Sunrich Lemon, Teddy Bear and Zebulon) were evaluated for attractiveness to predators, mostly the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). In general, sunflower varieties bearing pollen were more attractive to both pests and predators. No other plant parameter measured (flower diameter, center diameter and plant height) affected insect densities. The variety Double Quick Orange was found to harbor the highest densities of Orius, but also the highest densities of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), mostly Frankliniella tritici (Fitch). Insect populations were monitored in bell pepper, Capsicum annuum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) (var. Camelot) intercropped with Double Quick Orange, sunflower border and bell pepper monoculture. Densities of Orius and thrips were highest on the sunflower border, followed by the pepper monoculture and the bell pepper intercropped with sunflower. Over both seasons, the population of adult Orius sampled was 75.3% female and 24.8% male. About 55% of Orius sampled were nymphs. The thrips population was comprised of F. tritici (99%), with the remainder being F. occidentalis Pergande at 1.4%, and F. bispinosa (Morgan) at 0.4%. Most thrips sampled (58%) were in the immature stages. The sunflower variety most attractive to Orius was also most attractive to thrips. When intercropped with bell peppers, Orius remained in the sunflower which acted as a sink for both pests and predators. Sunflower may be more useful as a trap crop, rather than a source of predators, when used in multiple cropping systems.