Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #78279
Title: UTILIZING TRAP CROPS FOR INSECT SUPPRESSION IN WATERMELON

Author
item Pair, Sammy
item SHREFLER, JIM - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
item MOTES, JIM - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Horticultural Industry Conference
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Trap crops are crops that are grown to attract insects or other pests and protect primary crops from pest attack. Experiments in which squash was used as a trap crop for suppression of cucumber beetle and squash bug in melon crops has prompted considerable grower interest in the last two seasons. In most cases, the trap crop benefited the grower in two ways. First, insecticide usage in the melon crop for cucumber beetle and squash bug can be greatly reduced. The pest insects are attracted to the trap squash and controlled there, thus decreasing or eliminating the need to spray the entire field. With reduced pesticide, growers may conserve beneficial insect populations and decrease the likelihood of secondary outbreaks of other pests such as aphids. Second, the grower can often market the squash as a valued-added cash crop. Information from these studies will be published and distributed as a guide for melon producers who are interested in reducing economic inputs, insecticide usage, and conserving natural enemies.

Technical Abstract: Experiments were conducted for two years in melon fields located in western Oklahoma in which squash was used as a trap crop for suppression of cucumber beetle and squash bug populations. Two rows of squash were planted on the border rows of each commercial watermelon field. Colonization of squash occurred 1-2 weeks earlier than in watermelon and the squash trap crop sustained significantly higher densities of squash bu and cucumber beetle. Suppression of pest populations in the trap crop was accomplished with 1-2 insecticide applications while none were required in the primary melon crop. Utilization of the squash trap crop benefited the grower in two ways. First, insecticide usage in the melon crop for cucumber beetle and squash bug was greatly reduced. The pest insects are attracted to the trap squash and controlled there, thus decreasing or eliminating the need to spray the entire field. With reduced pesticide, growers may conserve beneficial insect populations and decrease the likelihood of secondary outbreaks of other pests such as aphids. Second, the grower successfully marketed the squash as a valued-added cash crop. Information from these studies prompted intense grower interest in this pest management strategy. In cooperation with Oklahoma Extension Service personnel, guidelines for trap crop utilization in melons were established for distribution to melon producers who are interested in reducing economic inputs, insecticide usage, and conserving natural enemies.