Chrysomelid leaf beetles and pentatomid stink bugs often use male-produced aggregation pheromones (attractive to males and females) to colonize hosts, including crops. Some important pests’ aggregation pheromones are already known and synthesized. Availability of synthetic pheromones offers opportunities to develop behavioral control as an important tactic in vegetable IPM, while reducing pesticide applications and negative non-target effects in pest management. Additionally, plant-produced attractants, often less expensive, in some cases add to or even synergize pheromone-based attraction. Important species include Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetles, crucifer flea beetles, harlequin bug, and other species. Tactics that are promising include trap cropping, mass-trapping, attract-and-kill baiting, and push-pull systems. Let’s talk about developing new tools for vegetable IPM!
- Crop Management
- Entomology