Immigration of Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) and predaceous natural enemies to trap-cropped organic strawberry

Lygus spp. are polyphagous pests that overwinter in weedy vegetation. In the spring on the central coast of California, Lygus spp. emigrate from weeds into strawberry fields. Subsequent feeding on strawberry flowers causes fruit deformation that precludes sale on the fresh market. Use of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) as a trap crop has been hypothesized to prevent Lygus spp. colonization in strawberries. We examined the movement of Lygus spp. and associated predators from weeds to strawberry fields with alfalfa trap crops using a protein mark–capture technique. Insects and spiders were collected from weeds, strawberry, and alfalfa 1 day, 2 days, and ∼2 wk after an albumin protein mark was applied to weeds bordering strawberry fields. For marked Lygus spp. that emigrated from weeds, the majority (79%) of adults were recovered from alfalfa trap crops; however, all nymphs immigrated to strawberry. Most protein-marked predators immigrated to strawberry, rather than trap crops, resulting in a marked predator-to-Lygus spp. ratio of 5:1. Trap cropping effectively reduced the colonization of Lygus adults in strawberry. Converting weedy areas to native perennial plantings could further mitigate the risk of pest migration, while simultaneously conserving beneficial insects.