We found that in high tunnels, they just exploded,” Foster said. “In field situations, hornworms are kind of an anomaly. Purdue researcher Laura Ingwell is working to find the right size insect exclusion screen to keep pests out but allow predators in. Predators like the lady beetle are important components of vegetable production systems. The situation with tomatoes was especially surprising, Foster said. Over two years, the researchers found increased presence of the pests in high tunnels when compared with adjacent open field plots. “Our data clearly show that is not true,” said Foster, whose results were published in the journal Pest Management Science.įoster and collaborators tested plants from three different plant families and the pests that are most often associated with those crops - tomatoes and hornworms broccoli and the cabbage looper, imported cabbageworm and diamondback moth and cucumber and the cucumber beetle. Ricky Foster, a Purdue professor of entomology, said it has long been thought that the enclosed nature of high tunnels kept insects from getting into the structure and causing much damage to plants inside, so he decided to test the theory. In temperate environments, they protect plants from the cold, allowing earlier plantings and later harvests of fruits, vegetables and flowers. High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, consist of stretched plastic over large metal frames which trap solar radiation warming the environment within. – Growers of tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables can extend their growing season and increase yield by placing high tunnels over their cold-sensitive crops, but those tunnels don’t provide the pest protection that has long been assumed. The pests caused severe damage to tomato plants. (Photo by Sarah Thompson). Researchers saw significant increases in the number of tomato hornworms (pictured here) in high tunnels.
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