EFFECTS OF SPRING BURNING AND INSECTICIDES ON THE SUPERB PLANT BUG, ADELPHOCORIS SUPERBUS (UHL.), AND ASSOCIATED FAUNA IN ALFALFA SEED FIELDS

Through spring burning of the plant debris in an alfalfa field effectively controlled an economic infestation of the superb plant bug, Adelphocoris superbus (Uhl.). It also destroyed two predators, Phymata fasciata (Gray) and Sinea diadema (F.), that overwinter in the egg stage in alfalfa fields. Burning reduced the severity of black stem, yellow-leaf blotch, and common leaf spot and produced a healthier stand and higher seed yield of alfalfa.Infestations of A. superbus were significantly reduced with a single application of either toxaphene at 0.4 to 1.0 pound of toxicant per acre or DDT at 0.3 or 0.5 pound per acre, applied as a spray after many of the overwintering eggs had hatched. Predacious insects did not seem to be adversely affected.