Journal of Pest Science (2013) 86, 235-244

Cory S. Straub, Nathan P. Simasek, Mark R. Gapinski, Regan Dohm, Ellen O. Aikens and Sarah Muscella (2013)
Influence of nonhost plant diversity and natural enemies on the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae, and pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, in alfalfa
Journal of Pest Science 86 (2), 235-244
Abstract: We examined the effects of nonhost plant diversity and predators on the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), and their primary host plant, alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. Potato leafhopper intensity (i.e., leafhoppers/alfalfa stem density) and plant damage (i.e., hopperburn) were significantly greater in alfalfa mono- than in polycultures of alfalfa mixed with nonhost plant species. There was no significant effect of nonhost plant diversity on pea aphid intensity or on predator abundance. Predator:prey ratios were higher in poly- than in monoculture. One predator, Nabis sp., was selected for further study. A microcosm experiment indicated that Nabis is an effective predator of both herbivores, and suggested that nonhost plant diversity may enhance the predation of leafhoppers by Nabis. These results suggest that nonhost plant diversity and Nabis limit leafhopper populations and protect alfalfa from herbivory. The potential for nonhost plants to increase herbivore movement and vulnerability to predation is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Cory S. Straub

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Acyrthosiphon pisum	Alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa)
	Empoasca fabae	Alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa)