Characterization of Intercrop Movement of <em>Lygus hesperus</em> between Cotton and Alfalfa

Abstract

Lygus hesperus Knight (Miridae: Hemiptera), a key pest of cotton in the United States, is a highly polyphagous insect. Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. var. hirsutum) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are two major field crop hosts of Lygus hesperus in the Texas High Plains. While alfalfa is considered a source of Lygus in cotton, Lygus intercrop movement behavior has not been fully characterized in cotton-alfalfa systems. Understanding the intercrop movement behavior of Lygus may facilitate better decision-making for Lygus management in these crops. A series of studies including a mark-release-recapture study and season-long field monitoring of Lygus were conducted in the Texas High Plains, USA. Season-long field marking and monitoring of Lygus intercrop movement revealed bidirectional Lygus movement and confirmed that Lygus preferred alfalfa over cotton. Net movement of Lygus between cotton and alfalfa was influenced by cotton phenology. A “two-crop/two-marker” field-marking and monitoring approach was successfully applied in characterizing Lygus seasonal intercrop movement. This approach can be used to study the effect of various crop management practices on Lygus intercrop movement and is applicable to other pests and cropping systems.