Use of safflower as a trap crop for managing the mirid bug, Lygus pratensis Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae), in cotton fields

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cotton has been increasingly harmed by the mirid bug (Lygus pratensis Linnaeus) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. Using trap plants within or around the border of the cotton may be a beneficial management strategy for this pest of cotton. RESULTS The potential of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn) as a trap plant for managing L. pratensis was evaluated in laboratory and field experiments. Y‐tube olfactometer assays demonstrated that L. pratensis was highly attracted to volatiles derived from safflower. Field experiments showed that safflower plots hosted more L. pratensis (adults and nymphs) than cotton plots. Early‐sown safflower had more L. pratensis than mid‐sown or late‐sown safflower, and was more conducive to the settlement and reproduction of L. pratensis. The density of L. pratensis on safflower trap crops in three sowing patterns was significantly higher than on adjacent cotton. The pattern of intercropping safflower trap crops was more effective at reducing densities of L. pratensis on cotton than placing safflower as ‘spot’ trap crops or peripheral trap crops. However, this result also may be related to the overall area of the safflower trap crops. With regular chemical control of L. pratensis on safflower trap crops, the number of cotton bolls was increased by 10.04%, whereas the rate of boll damage was reduced by 33.44%, compared to cotton without safflower trap crops and insecticide sprays. CONCLUSION Safflower shows promise as an effective trap crop for L. pratensis, and may contribute to controlling L. pratensis in cotton. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Differences in the Sublethal Effects of Sulfoxaflor and Acetamiprid on the Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) Are Related to Its Basic Sensitivity Level

“…In addition to chemical control, cotton pests can be controlled by ecological regulation methods. For example, safflowers ( Carthamus tinctorius ) are used to trap Lygus pratensis in cotton fields [ 55 ]. Rape ( Brassica napus ) and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) are used to attract natural enemies to control A. gossypii [ 56 ].…”

Immigration of Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) and predaceous natural enemies to trap-cropped organic strawberry

“…In this study, 74% of marked Lygus adults recovered from alfalfa were collected from “edge” trap crops, compared with just 29% of such adults recovered from equivalently distant strawberry rows. Given the relatively localized movements of Lygus adults from weeds to alfalfa, establishing peripheral trap crops on field edges is advisable (e.g., Wang et al 2021).…”

“…Perhaps the nymphs found in weeds during the spring are naive to alfalfa exposure (unlike nymphs in subsequent generations) (Swezey et al 2013) and are therefore less likely to preferentially seek out a trap crop. Correspondingly, the spatial layout of a trap crop within a crop/noncrop boundary could affect the likelihood that a relatively immobile nymph encounters alfalfa upon immigration (Potting et al 2005, Wang et al 2021). If so, managed trap crops that are oriented parallel to sources of Lygus and are positioned in-between points of pest emigration and strawberry fields may be best suited to divert Lygus colonization toward alfalfa and away from strawberry.…”

Licorice strips enhance predator‐mediated biological control in China's cotton crop

“…Perennial and annual plants have been used to promote arthropod biological control in glasshouse and open‐field crops alike 55,56,57 . In cotton fields of Xinjiang (China), safflower is planted as a trap crop where it lowers infestation levels of mirid bugs ( Lygus pratensis L.) 58 . However, some non‐crop habitats can have no or negative effects on natural enemies and pests in nearby cropping fields.…”