This progress report of research indicates lygus bug control is possible by strip cutting alfalfa to keep the bugs in the alfalfa where they do little harm, and allow survival of natural enemies. Further investigations are necessary, particularly on the agronomic, economic and long-range ecological aspects of strip cutting, before the pros and cons of this harvesting method can be fully evaluated. However, the end result could well be a very considerable saving to California farmers, and perhaps wen more importantly, a significant reduction in pesticide hazard problems.

This investigation was supported in part by CPI funds administered by the National Cotton Council of America and by research grant No. G-22105 from the National Science Foundation.