BIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN PEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN PLANTS

The European corn borer is the key insect pest of peppers in NJ and the Northeast feeding primarily upon the fruit. The standard means of controlling this insect is through the use of insecticides. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of using companion flower plantings to control European corn borer in peppers as a replacement for traditional insecticide programs. If effective, the use of companion flower plantings should reduce insecticide use and provide marketable fruit resulting in lower production costs, higher dollar returns and less insecticide residues on produce. It will also help minimize exposure to insecticides by farm workers and the general public and minimize right-to-farm issues.