Monday, December 11, 2006
D0037

Laboratory and field evaluation of three organic insecticides for managing Harlequin bug Murgantia histrionica (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) populations on leafy greens

Lisa M. Overall, lisa.overall@okstate.edu and Jonathan Edelson, jonathan.edelson@okstate.edu. Oklahoma State University, 127 Noble Research Center, Stillwater, OK

The Harlequin bug (HB), Murgantia histrionica, is a key pest of Brassicae crops in North America. Populations in commercial production fields have been managed through use of synthetic insecticides. Numerous field and laboratory studies have shown that various synthetic pesticides effectively suppress Harlequin bug populations. The HB has potential of becoming a serious pest in the absence of synthetic insecticides, as the case in organic production. Currently, organic producers have no reliable method of managing populations of this pest. Laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine response of the HB to three organic insecticides, Neemix 4.5, Entrust, and Pyganic EC 1.4. These studies were conducted in conjunction with field efficacy trials to verify results of the laboratory studies. Results indicated significant differences in response to the three insecticides. These results will be used in developing IPM programs for organic crop producers.


Species 1: Hemiptera Pentatomidae Murgantia histrionica (Harlequin bug)