Host plant preference of Lygus hesperus exposed to three desert-adapted industrial crops

Authors: Hagler, James; Tassone, Erica; COFFELT, TERRY - Retired ARS Employee; LIPKA, ALEXANDER - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2016
Publication Date: 6/5/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62962
Citation: Hagler, J.R., Tassone, E.E., Coffelt, T., Lipka, A.E. 2016. Host plant preference of Lygus hesperus exposed to three desert-adapted industrial crops. Industrial Crops and Products. 89:363-367. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.05.041.

Interpretive Summary: It is well known that the lygus bug feeds on a wide variety of plants (i.e., cotton, strawberry, weeds, etc.). It is also known that this pest exhibits a wide host plant feeding preference for the various types of plants. The desert-adapted crops vernonia, lesquerella, and camelina are being grown in the arid southwest as potential feedstock for biofuel and/or other environmentally friendly products. However, their commercial development and integration into the existing agro-ecosystem, as either replacement for conventional crops (i.e., cotton or alfalfa) or as additions to a producer's cropping system, will undoubtedly influence the structure, dynamics, and function of the existing arthropod community. Of particular interest is the potential impact of lygus on these new crops and the changes in arthropod community dynamics that may exacerbate or ameliorate pest problems in current conventional crops grown in the region. A feeding choice test was conducted to determine the relative attractiveness of these three crops to lygus. The study revealed that lygus readily fed and laid eggs on all three plant species. However, they were observed most often feeding and laying eggs on vernonia and least often on camelina. Such basic information is essential for the successful stewardship of these crops into commercial production.

Technical Abstract: The desert-adapted crops vernonia (Centrapalus pauciflorus), lesquerella (Physaria fendleri), and camelina (Camelina sativa) are being grown in the arid southwestern USA as potential feedstock for biofuel and/or other environmentally friendly products. A plant feeding choice test was conducted to determine the relative attractiveness of these three “new” crops to a possible insect pest, Lygus hesperus Knight. Adult L. hesperus were readily observed feeding or resting on the flowering structures of each plant type, but they were seen most often on vernonia and least often on camelina. Lygus hesperus readily deposited their eggs on each plant species, but again, the greatest amount of egg deposition was found on vernonia and the least on camelina. These studies indicate that L. hesperus might pose a threat to the production of these new crops. Moreover, the commercial expansion of these crops could significantly alter the population dynamics of the existing arthropod community. New challenges for managing this pest during regional crop production changes are discussed.