Influence of Planting Date and Floral Resources on Squash Bugs

Squash farmers in the Southeast seek alternative methods of managing pest populations. Previous research has investigated the efficacy of pesticide and cultural control methods with varying success. Further impetus for research investigating new pest management methods is provided by the increasing demand for organic produce. Through farmscaping/intercropping floral resources, beneficial insects will receive greater incentive to visit otherwise less enticing monocultures. Floral candidate choice is an important consideration, as certain flower characteristics are known to attract certain types of beneficial insects. Fields treated with floral resources are expected to have greater numbers and diversity of beneficial insects including parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and predatory hemipterans. With the increased exposure to beneficial insects, damage done to crops by pest insects such as the squash bug is expected to be less compared to plots without floral resources. Farmscaping has shown varied success in other parts of the country. Furthermore, there is a paucity of literature assessing the application of floral resources with the intention to control pest populations in the Southeast. Additionally, varying the planting date has been shown to reduce damage done by the squash bug Anasa tristis (Hemiptera: Coreidae). The combination of these methods are of interest in this study.