Slide 3 of 17

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Slide 3 of 17

Notes:

Spring Clipping

Alfalfa clipping may coincide with first hatch of lygus bug.

First hatch can be predicted by degree-day accumulations (Simko and Kreigh 1998).

Does timing of clipping relative to first egg hatch make a difference in reducing pest populations?

Additional considerations are that

The release of bees relative to amount of bloom may be important for pollination and seed set.

Clipping may force the plant to mobilize nutrient reserves for regrowth, which may mean fewer resources are available for bloom and seed set.

Simko, B. C. & D. Kreigh. 1998. Using degree day accumulations to predict Lygus hatches in alfalfa seed, pp. 7-10. In Proceedings, 57th Annual Pacific Northwest Insect Management Conference, 5-6 January 1998. Oregon State University Extension Service