The Canadian Entomologist (2000) 132, 231-241

R.S. Vernon, T. Kabaluk and A. Behringer (2000)
Movement of Agriotes obscurus (Coleoptera : Elateridae) in strawberry (Rosaceae) plantings with wheat (Gramineae) as a trap crop
The Canadian Entomologist 132 (2), 231-241
Abstract: Dusky wireworms, Agriotes obscurus (L.), aggregated at rows of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., spaced 1 m apart within 6 d of seeding. Wireworms also aggregated at rows of newly planted strawberries, Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne, resulting in 43% plant mortality. Wheat rows planted 8 d in advance of intercropped rows of strawberries aggregated wireworms at the wheat rows rather than at the strawberry rows. Mortality of strawberry plants protected by the previously planted wheat rows was only 5.3%. Strawberry seedlings planted 14 d before intercropping with wheat rows incurred 29.6% mortality. These data show that trap crops of wheat planted 1 week in advance of planting strawberries can effectively reduce wireworm feeding and plant mortality and can be used as an inexpensive pest management method.
(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): Robert S. Vernon

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.
	Agriotes obscurus	Strawberry (Fragaria)
	Agriotes obscurus	Wheat (Triticum)