Refuge and cover crop plantings for beneficial insect habitats

摘要

Flower-infesting thrips are a major concern in Florida pepper production due to fruit damage and virus disease dissemination. Natural enemies, such as the minute pirate bug [Orius insidiosus (Say)], can keep thrips populations below the economic threshold. Attracting and augmenting beneficial insect populations in and around pepper fields may maintain yields and reduce pesticide costs. We evaluated the potential of selected cover crops and weedy hosts to serve as refugia for beneficial insects. Bidens alba supported a low to moderate, stable population of the minute pirate bug and a plethora of other beneficials as it bloomed year round. Sunflower planted as a windbreak attracted high numbers of Orius, but only a single planting was evaluated. Wedelia trilobata, blooming from March to December, proved important in carrying Orius during the summer months into the fall season. White dutch clover planted in drivemiddles and White sweet clover on field margins supported moderate to high Orius populations but only towards the end of the spring season and therefore cannot contribute to early-season thrips control.