Recruiting refuge crops to protect beneficial Insects for effective IPM in the specialty crops in North Florida

Enhancing biological control through the integration of refuge crops provides a sustainable pathway for strengthening Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in North Florida’s specialty crop systems. Refuge crops such as sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), marigold (Tagetes spp.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) offer continuous nectar, pollen, and shelter that sustain populations of beneficial insects predators, parasitoids, and pollinators critical for suppressing key pest species. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these refuge crops in attracting and conserving beneficial arthropods, including Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Syrphidae, and Braconidae, for natural suppression of economically important pests such as whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula), western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), and cotton jassid (Amrasca biguttula). Refuge crops will be established adjacent to tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, hemp, sorrel, okra, and sweet potato fields to examine their role in regulating pest populations while enhancing crop productivity and ecological resilience. Field studies using sweep nets, sticky traps, and direct visual counts will quantify beneficial-to-pest ratios and seasonal population dynamics. The anticipated outcome is to identify optimal refuge plant combinations and spatial arrangements that maximize beneficial insect recruitment, reduce pesticide reliance, and improve pollination and pest suppression services. Integrating multifunctional refuge crops within IPM frameworks will contribute to long-term ecological balance, reduced chemical input costs, and enhanced biodiversity, offering a scalable model for sustainable specialty crop production systems in North Florida.