Trap Cropping Harlequin Bug: Distance of Separation Influences Female Movement and Oviposition

Abstract To evaluate perimeter trap crops for management of harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn), we undertook greenhouse and field experiments with mustard greens as crop a collard cash crop. We confirmed that bugs prefer to immigrate reside on mustard. Females, however, in cage experiments, ‘commuted’ collards lay their eggs. In separate spring fall plantings, using replicated 12 m by plots 1-ha fields, tested planted an adjacent crop, or separated 2 unplanted rows (2.3 m), no Adults accumulated the but overall numbers remained low, all sustaining <1% leaves damaged. fall, separation 2.3 reduced oviposition fourfold, feeding damage approximately 2.5-fold, compared Fall control border showed even lower foliar damage; likely result preferential immigration at scale, resulting fewer near treatment plots. Thus, spatial arrangement its from influences pest abundance damage. A can reduce bug movement including female commuting egg-laying, thus better protecting Future research should address reduction area crops, deployment semiochemicals, possible changes timing, promote cropping is practical grower implementation.