Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2003) 109, 133-138

P. Rousse, S. Fournet, C. Porteneuve and E. Brunel (2003)
Trap cropping to control Delia radicum populations in cruciferous crops: first results and future applications
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 109 (2), 133-138
Abstract: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new approach to the control of Delia radicum populations. We suggest associating the primary crop with a trap crop that is expected to be more attractive to D. radicum females and to attract and sustain their natural enemies such as Aleochara bilineata and A. bipustulata. Various cruciferous species were compared in terms of their preference for adult D. radicum females, and performance, as estimated by larval survival. Laboratory results were complemented by field experiments in which the selected trap crops were associated with broccoli plants. The following results were obtained. Of the six different cruciferous plant species tested, Delia radicum females showed a strong preference for Chinese cabbage, with turnip also being attractive. Following the laboratory results, turnip was chosen as a trap crop because it was easier to cultivate and presented good preference and performance. In the field experiments, Aleochara adults were present in higher numbers in plots associated with turnips than in pure broccoli plots. The presence of Aleochara adults in plots with turnips improved plant protection; as fewer broccoli plants were attacked, the attacked plants were less severely damaged, and more D. radicum pupae were parasitised than in pure broccoli plots. Delia radicum females did not lay fewer eggs on broccoli plants associated with turnips. Moreover, protection and parasitism were more effective in the rows closest to the central row of turnips, suggesting that Aleochara adults limit their activity to its immediate vicinity.
(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): Sylvain Fournet

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Delia radicum	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)	France
Aleochara bilineata (parasitoid)	Delia radicum	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)	France
Aleochara bipustulata (parasitoid)	Delia radicum	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)	France