Abstract
Two field experiments were conducted in Hawaii to determine the responses of lepidopteran pests and their associated natural enemies to broccoli (Brassica oleracea), grown in monoculture or interplanted with chili pepper (Capsicum annuum), or yellow sweetclover (YSC) (Melilotus officinalis). The population responses of Artogeia rapae and Trichoplusia ni to habitat types were not consistent during the field trials. Additionally, their reactions to habitat diversification differed according to non-host plant species. For example, Trichoplusia ni densities were significantly lower in the broccoli–YSC habitat contrasted with the broccoli–pepper habitat on most sampling dates. Similarly, the proportion of plants damaged by Hellula undalis was significantly lower in the broccoli–YSC habitat contrasted with broccoli–pepper habitat. Findings from the study, suggest that biological control agents (e.g., spiders, parasitoids, and␣entomopathogens) are the most significant factors influencing the abundance of A.␣rapae in habitat type and that these agents inflict greater mortality on A. rapae in diculture than monoculture habitats.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank E. Acierto, J. B. Carder, D. Ohora, R. R. Pandey, K.-H. Wang, and employees and volunteers at the University of Hawaii’s Poamoho Research Station for field assistance; K. Takeda for horticultural support; L. Lebeck, H. Kaya, and T. Tamashiro for␣entomopathogen identification; D. Tsuda, B. Kumashiro, and R.␣G. Gillespie for insect and spider identifications, respectively; R.␣F.␣L. Mau, J. J. McHugh, and J. Rosenheim, for thoughtful suggestions; O. Kawabata for statistical advice; and A. Alyokhin for suggestions in reviewing the manuscript. This study was partially funded by the USDA/CSREES, Special Grant for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture Research (T-STAR), Agreement No. 99-34135-8109.
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Hooks, C.R.R., Johnson, M.W. Population densities of herbivorous lepidopterans in diverse cruciferous cropping habitats: Effects of mixed cropping and using a living mulch. Biocontrol 51, 485–506 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-006-9009-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-006-9009-5