Companion planting guide › Grain sorghum as a trap crop for stink bugs

Grain sorghum as a trap crop for stink bugs: does it work?

Q: Does grain sorghum as a trap crop for stink bugs work?

Evidence rating: Proven. USDA-ARS found sorghum strips held southern green stink bugs and cut insecticide use in adjacent cotton.

Sources (0)

All sources (works cited) →

Proven Consistent benefit shown in replicated field research or long-running extension trials.

USDA-ARS found sorghum strips held southern green stink bugs and cut insecticide use in adjacent cotton.

Tillman P.G. (USDA-ARS). Grain sorghum as a trap crop for southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) in cotton; Environmental Entomology 35(3):771 (2006).

Mechanism

Trap crop: sorghum heads are more attractive than the main crop.

What the research found

Cotton with a sorghum trap crop had fewer stink bugs and needed far fewer insecticide treatments (Tillman 2006).

Caveats

Tested in Georgia cotton, not vegetable gardens. Timing of sorghum heading matters.

How to try it

Plant sorghum on borders so it heads as stink bugs move in.

Other Proven pairings (4)

Evidence summary checked 2026-10-14. We cite only peer-reviewed studies, university extension and USDA/ARS sources; results may differ in your region. Not professional advice.