Encouraging Spiders for Pest Control: Comparing Mulches

Project Overview

FNE95-108
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 1995: $938.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1996
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Sue Smith-Heavenrich

Commodities

  • Agronomic: potatoes
  • Vegetables: beans, broccoli, cabbages, cucurbits, garlic, onions, peppers, tomatoes

Practices

  • Pest Management: general pest management

    Proposal summary:

    Sue Smith-Heavenrich will evaluate methods for encouraging spiders through the use of mulch in potatoes and other crops. This project continues a 1994 study suggesting that mulches can encourage spider populations, which in turn may control leaf hopper populations.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.