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  • From: Allan Balliett <aballiett AT frontiernet.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Harlequin Bug Control?
  • Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 21:25:02 -0400

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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