Arthropod-Plant Interactions (2012) 6, 385-394

E. Veromann, L. Metspalu, I.H. Williams, K. Hiiesaar, M. Mand, R. Kaasik, G. Kovács, K. Jogar, E. Svilponis, I. Kivimagi, A. Ploomi and A. Luik. (2012)
Relative attractiveness of Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Eruca sativa and Raphanus sativus for pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) and their potential for use in trap cropping
Arthropod-Plant Interactions 6 (3), 385-394
Abstract: Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a valuable crop, attacked by several insect pests, of which the pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) is one of the most widespread and important in Europe. The relative attractiveness for the pollen beetle of Brassica nigra, Eruca sativa and Raphanus sativus was compared with that of spring oilseed rape, to assess the potential of these plant species as trap crops for the pest. At early growth stages, B. nigra and R. sativus were more attractive to over-wintered adult pollen beetles than B. napus. At the bud and flowering stages, B. nigra was the most attractive while E. sativa was the least attractive. At flowering, B. nigra was more attractive for oviposition than the other species. Thus, of the species tested, B. nigra has the most potential as a prospective trap crop to protect spring oilseed rape before flowering when it is at its most vulnerable developmental phase, due to its faster development and its acceptability both for feeding and oviposition to overwintered pollen beetle adults. Raphanus sativus was accepted both for feeding and oviposition, but pollen beetle larvae failed to develop in its flowers; it therefore has the potential for use as a dead-end crop. At the end of the growing season, both E. sativa and R. sativus, as late-flowering species, attracted the new generation of pollen beetles and thereby have potential to extend the effectiveness of a trap-cropping system at this time.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Eve Veromann, Eha Kruus, Külli Hiiesaar, Gabriella Kovács, Luule Metspalu, Angela Ploomi, Katrin Jõgar, Irja Kivimägi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Brassicogethes aeneus	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)