Mustard trap crop location and density affect trap crop function in the management of the Harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on collard

The Harlequin bug (HB) is a major pest of cole crops in many parts of the southern United States. Its feeding causes white blotches on leaves thus reducing their market value. A heavy infestation can kill the plants and damage entire fields. Although several broad-spectrum insecticides can control the HB, these insecticides are not suitable for organic farming and have a detrimental impact on the natural enemies population. Studies have shown that the HB had an attraction/preference toward of mustard plant, which has the potential to be used in management strategies. To help develop a trap cropping strategy for the HB, we develop two experiments i) to assess the effects of the percentage of trap crops, and ii) locations of the trap crop in the collard field. For the % trap crop experiment, we used three different cultivars of trap crop (Florida Broadleaf, Gaint Red, and Old Fashioned) mustard on Georgia Sothern collard. There was 2 level of trap crop %, 10%, and 20%, making 6 treatment with the combination of % and mustard cultivars and one control without mustard making altogether 7 treatments. For the location of the trap crop experiment, we used 3 different locations of trap crop mustard at 20 % level at the center two-row, at the border, or the periphery of the plot. With the addition of the control without trap crop, there were 4 treatments in this experiment. The results and implications of the results will be discussed later.