EVALUATION OF TRAP CROPS TO MANAGE HARLEQUIN BUGS, MURGANTIA-HISTRIONICA (HAHN) (HEMIPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE) ON BROCCOLI

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea 'Packman Hybrid'), mustard (B. kabar 'Sout hern Giant Curled'), and rape (B. napus 'Dwarf Essex') were evaluated as trap crops to manage harlequin bugs, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn), in broccoli field plots during 1994 and 1995 in Montgomery County, Vir ginia. Mustard and rape prevented low densities of harlequin bugs from reaching the main broccoli crop, but at high densities harlequin bugs moved from the trap plants into the primary crop. This indicates that harlequin bugs attracted to trap plants may damage the main crop if t heir numbers reach relatively high levels. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.