[Market-farming] Harlequin Bug Control?
Allan Balliett
aballiett at frontiernet.net
Mon May 11 21:25:02 EDT 2009
Richard -
I'm in Shepherdstown, WV, about 45 minutes NW of Leesburg, VA.
I've had to deal with infestations of Harlequins for the last 6 or 7
years. I don't remember even seeing a Harlequin before that.
Normally, the Harlequins show up late in the season, apparently
attracted to stressed plants, as someone has mentioned. This year,
however, we have some already and they are infesting plants that are
most definitely showing no signs of stress at this point in the
season.
I find that the harlequins are not affected by any of the omri
insecticides, including Pyganic 5.
They can be, however, knocked down with early morning applications
of Safer Soap, if the day is going to be a hot one. (The combination
of soap and heat does them in.) The soap doesn't affect them, it
appears, if the day is overcast.
I've found out the hard way that insecticidal soaps lose their
effectiveness in hard water, so it pays to make your mix with
distilled water or rain water if you may have calcium in your farm
water.
I did a substantial amount of academic research on harlequins a few
years back. Trap cropping with mustards is considered to be the most
effective organic solution to the harlequin problem. I have,
unfortunately, not tried this with any success. (They recommend
starting a crop of mustard about two weeks before you put any other
brassicas out.)
I have found biodynamic peppers to be effective with the harlequins,
but the peppers only affect the winged adults, who seem to simply fly
away the when peppers are applied. If you do not pepper frequently, a
new 'generation' of adults will appear in a few days and you will be
back where you started ('appearing' from the until recently wingless
nymphs, that is.)
Harlequins 'call in' other harlequins from the distance by 'drumming'
on the stalks of brassicas. Finding a way to 'jam' this
'broadcasting' might reduce seasonal populations.
-Allan in WV
>Our last two seasons of garden cabbage have been total failures due
>to Harlequin bug damage. They were bad on summer kale also.
>
>We now have access to hundreds of cabbage transplants (Tendersweet
>and Alcosa), but are reluctant to set them out for market if we
>cannot control Harlequin bugs.
>
>Any ideas on control?
>We have considered row cover.
>Also are transitioning to certified organic.
>
>Thanks,
>Richard Moyer
>Moyer Family Farm
>Castlewood, SW VA
>Veggies, poultry, fruit
>
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