07/25/08 Lygus bugs vs Idaho alfalfa seed fields

When alfalfa blooms, lygus bugs swarm out of less tasty crops and into an alfalfa seed crop worth about 15 million dollars annually to Idaho growers. Spanning 14 thousand acres, mostly in the Treasure Valley, the alfalfa seed crop is the second largest in the nation; first in the production of colder climate dormant seed. University of Idaho entomologist Jim Barbour says some of the traditional pesticides used to manage lygus bugs can be harmful to the leaf cutter bees. BARBOUR "So it becomes a real problem when you have a crop that relies on an insect for pollination and also has a pest that is an insect that you have to manage and they're both there at the same time." Barbour's trials over the last seven years have resulted in three products that are less dangerous to the adult bees. This summer at the Parma Research Center Barbour will evaluate the new environmental softer chemicals in various combinations. BARBOUR "Might be better to use these systemic compounds up front and use the compounds that have more contact activity, maybe use that later in the season." A U of I graduate student will also assess the impact of other bugs, beneficial predators, to see if any can be used to control lygus bug populations. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott