J. R. Ruberson, W. J. Lewis, D. J. Waters, O. Stapel, and P. B. Haney. DYNAMICS OF INSECT POPULATIONS IN A REDUCED-TILLAGE, CRIMSON CLOVER/COTTON SYSTEM PART 1: PESTS AND BENEFICIALS OF PLANTS Proc.Beltwide Cotton Conf. 2:814-817 (1995)

Abstract

Cover crops, used in conjunction with conservation tillage, may provide opportunities to culturally manage insect pest population dynamics in cotton. We studed the effects of a leguminous cover crop (crimson clover), in a conservation-tillage system, on population dymanics of pest and beneficial insects in cotton. In 1994 two 50-acre fields (one treated conventionally, the other planted with crimson clover and strip tilled) were sampled throughout the season at weekly intervals for pest and beneficial arthropods. Most pest populations (thrips, tarnished plant bugs, bollworms, budworms, and loopers) were reduced in the clover/reduced tillage field relative to the conventional field. Aphid populations peaked earlier, crashed more rapidly, and rebounded to higher levels in the clover field than in the conventional field. This may be due to the greater fire ant populations in the clover field: fire ants protect aphids by killing or discouraging the aphids' natural enemies. But fire ants also attack a number of pest species, and may be responsible for the observed differences in pest populations between the two fields.