Bulletin of Insectology (2005) 58, 9-14

Gianumberto Accinelli, Alberto Lanzoni, Fabio Ramilli, Davide Dradi and Giovanni Burgio (2005)
Trap crop: an agroecological approach to the management of Lygus rugulipennis on lettuce
Bulletin of Insectology 58 (1), 9-14
Abstract: Field trials were carried out in Northern Italy in order to develop an agroecological approach to the control of Lygus rugulipennis Poppius (Rhynchota Miridae) on lettuce by using trap crops. Two treatments were compared: lettuce with trap crops, consisting of plots adjacent to alfalfa strips and lettuce without trap crops consisting of another four plots surrounded by bare soil. In 2000 alfalfa strips were not treated; on the contrary, in 2001 and 2002 localised chemical treatments were made weekly on the alfalfa strips. In 2002 the ratio between trap crops and lettuce areas was increased from 0.075 to 0.15. In addition, cultivar 'Trocadero', a cultivar less sensitive to Lygus damage, was compared to cultivar 'Romana'. The results demonstrated a general efficiency of alfalfa as a trap plant for managing L. rugulipennis. The efficiency in preventing damage to lettuce was not sufficient in 2000 without localised chemical applications on alfalfa. The localised treatment of insecticides on alfalfa strips had a significant effect on reducing the extent of damage on lettuce plots adjacent to the trap crops. In 2002 the cultivar 'Trocadero' had a lower damage index than cultivar 'Romana'. Alfalfa as a trap crop could be used for lettuce in periods of the year where the pest is not as abundant as it is in August and September. Managing Lygus bugs with trap crops is not advisable when the variety of lettuce is very sensitive to bug damage, thus trap crops can be effective for lettuce cultivar like 'Trocadero' but not for cultivar 'Romana'.
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Database assignments for author(s): Giovanni Burgio

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lygus rugulipennis	Lettuce (Lactuca)	Italy