Biological control and intraguild predation by generalist predators in cucurbits: implications for organic production

Organic control measures in muskmelon production are part of an integrated pest management approach and include floating row covers, generalist predators and ground cover. These are used in Kentucky, allowing for a reduction in insecticide use and diminished virus incidence while increasing yield. Current row covers consist of a fabric that retains heat and must be removed at anthesis and kept off until the end of the season. As a result, a new farming regime was tested for longer season insect exclusion. In addition, ground cover treatments, consisting of mulch or bare ground were tested for their effect on predator abundance, intraguild predation and biological control services.  Intraguild predation was widespread with consumption on pests found to be very low. Muskmelon yield was higher in plots with the modified regime when the ground cover was mulch. Furthermore, there is a strong temporal effect on insect abundance across treatments. There are trends across various natural enemy groups, showing higher abundance in the modified treatments. This has implications for biological control in a sustainable pest management regime in melon crops.