Project Number: 6402-22000-045-17
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 15, 2005
End Date: Mar 31, 2009

Objective:
Develop control method for tarnished plant bug in cotton based on use of insecticides. Examine the buildup of plant bugs in early wild hosts, movement to other wild hosts or corn, and the subsequent movement of plant bugs from these hosts into cotton. Determine if reducing the number of early-season wild hosts will decrease the number that eventually move into cotton.

Approach:
Replicated field experiments will be conducted in which early-season host plants found near corn and cotton fields will be reduced in number by use of herbicides. Plant bug populations found on wild hosts in treated and untreated areas will be measured along with host density and host species composition prior to and after treatment. Numbers of plant bugs found in corn and cotton in treated and untreated areas will be meausred during the growing season. Numbers of insecticide treatments needed to control plant bugs and other pests in cotton fields in treated and untreated areas will be recorded along with other pertinent field data such as cotton variety, yield, irrigation, and fertilizer use.