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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 #339089
Research Project: Improved Biologically-Based Methods for Insect Pest Management of Crop Insect Pests

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Spodoptera species as pests in Florida strawberries

Author
item Meagher, Robert - Rob
item RENKEMA, JUSTIN - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Hillsborough County, Florida, produces about 15% of the nation’s strawberries on over 11,000 acres. The economic impact to the area is over $700 million. Production averages over 20 million flats of strawberries from November through March. Fields are planted in the fall with young plants (transplants), and one group of insect pests is armyworms (Spodoptera) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). This study was designed to monitor adult populations using pheromone traps in research and commercial strawberry fields. Results suggest that several species may be damaging plants, such as S. albula, S. latifascia, S. frugiperda, and S. eridania. These preliminary results will help design future research projects.