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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #346929
Research Project: Ecologically Based Pest Management in Western Crops Such as Cotton

Location: Pest Management and Biocontrol Research

Title: Trap crops and natural enemies: A winning combination in organically produced strawberries

Author
item PICKETT, CHARLIES - California Department Of Agriculture
item NIETO, DIEGO - Driscoll'S
item Hagler, James

Submitted to: Progressive Crop Consultant
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/2016
Publication Date: 11/1/2017
Citation: Pickett, C.H., Nieto, D.J., Hagler, J.R. 2017. Trap crops and natural enemies: A winning combination in organically produced strawberries. Progressive Crop Consultant. 2(6):16-18.

Interpretive Summary: Pesticide applications are the most common method for controlling lygus bug infestations in strawberries. An ARS scientist in Maricopa, AZ has collaborated with CA researchers to find better ways to control this pest. This popular article describes the progress they have made toward developing eco-friendly tactics for lygus management in organically-grown strawberries. They describe how alfalfa trap crops can attract (lure) lygus bug populations away from strawberries while also luring its natural enemies. Beneficial arthropods found in strawberry and alfalfa include native predators (insects and spiders) and an introduced lygus-specific parasitic wasp. The copious amounts of prey (lygus) and natural enemies provided by alfalfa trap crops can stabilize and anchor predator and parasitoid populations in strawberry systems. Long term studies have found that fresh market yields are improved in trap-cropped strawberry when compared to strawberry alone. These results provide information on how to develop an organically approved lygus bug control strategy and a pesticide-free working environment for farm laborers.

Technical Abstract: Until recently, there have been few biological alternatives to pesticides for controlling lygus bugs. We now know that alfalfa trap crops can attract lygus bug populations away from strawberries and concentrate lygus bug natural enemies. Beneficial arthropods found in strawberry and alfalfa include native predators (insects and spiders) and the introduced lygus-specific parasitic wasp, Peristenus relictus. The copious amounts of prey (lygus) and natural enemies provided by alfalfa trap crops can stabilize and anchor predator and parasitoid populations in strawberry systems. Long term studies have found that fresh market yields are improved in trap-cropped strawberry when compared to strawberry alone. Since the introduction of the alfalfa trap crop method and the exotic wasps in 2002, lygus populations have steadily declined. Moreover, lygus parasitism rates have increased. Our results provide information on how to develop an organically approved lygus bug control strategy and a pesticide-free working environment for farm laborers.