Management of Stored Wheat Insect Pests in the USA

Management of stored-grain insect pests by farmers or elevator managers should be based upon a knowledge of the grain storage environment and the ecology of insect pests. Grain storage facilities and practices, geographical location, government policies, and marketing demands for grain quality are discussed as factors influencing stored-grain insect pest management decisions in the United States. Typical practices include a small number of grain samples designed to provide grain quality information for segregation, blending and marketing. This low sampling rate results in subjective evaluation and inconsistent penalties for insect-related quality factors. Information on the efficacy of insect pest management practices in the United States, mainly for farm-stored wheat, is discussed, and stored-grain integrated pest management (IPM) is compared to field-crop IPM. The transition from traditional stored-grain insect pest control to IPM will require greater emphasis on sampling to estimate insect densities, the development of sound economic thresholds and decision-making strategies, more selective use of pesticides, and greater use of nonchemical methods such as aeration. New developments in insect monitoring, predictive computer models, grain cooling by aeration, biological control, and fumigation are reviewed, their potential for improving insect pest management is discussed, and future research needs are examined.     

Sampling for decision making in crop loss assessment and pest management: introduction

ABSTRACT Data obtained by sampling are crucial for decision making in crop loss assessment and pest management. Such data improve farmers' perceptions of the threat of pests and can, therefore, improve the quality of decision making in the practice of crop protection. The concept of a threshold, representing the dividing line between two alternative courses of action relating to seed or crop health, is an important aspect of crop protection decision making. Sampling is the means by which the required judgment can be guided. Operating characteristic curves are an important tool in the evaluation and comparison of the performance of sampling schemes. Precision integrated pest management, in which the objective is spatially variable pest management within fields, poses new problems for decision makers and statisticians developing sampling methodology in the context of crop protection.     

水稻病虫害综合防治五大关系的理性分析

本文论述“预防为主，综合防治”植保方针的理论和实践意义，结合我国水稻病虫害综合防治２０ａ的研究进展，提出综合防治的体系特征及其五大关系：（１）有害生物的种质分化与种型演变；（２）防治体系与预警系统；（３）为害损失与防治指标；（４）多抗性品种的开拓与推广；（５）多效药剂的研究开发与应用。进而探讨ＩＰＭ与可持续性植物保护的相互关系     

Assessing the integrated pest management practices of southeastern US ornamental nursery operations

BACKGROUND: The Southern Nursery Integrated Pest Management (SNIPM) working group surveyed ornamental nursery crop growers in the southeastern United States to determine their pest management practices. Respondents answered questions about monitoring practices for insects, diseases and weeds, prevention techniques, intervention decisions, concerns about IPM and educational opportunities. Survey respondents were categorized into three groups based on IPM knowledge and pest management practices adopted. RESULTS: The three groups differed in the use of standardized sampling plans for scouting pests, in monitoring techniques, e.g. sticky cards, phenology and growing degree days, in record‐keeping, in the use of spot‐spraying and in the number of samples sent to a diagnostic clinic for identification and management recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger emphasis is needed on deliberate scouting techniques and tools to monitor pest populations to provide earlier pest detection and greater flexibility of management options. Most respondents thought that IPM was effective and beneficial for both the environment and employees, but had concerns about the ability of natural enemies to control insect pests, and about the availability and effectiveness of alternatives to chemical controls. Research and field demonstration is needed for selecting appropriate natural enemies for augmentative biological control. Two groups utilized cooperative extension almost exclusively, which would be an avenue for educating those respondents. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sampling plans,selective insecticides and sustainability: the case for IPM as ‘informed pest management’

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is considered the central paradigm of insect pest management and is often characterized as a comprehensive use of multiple control tactics to reduce pest status while minimizing economic and environmental costs. As the principal precursor of IPM, the integrated control concept formulated the economic theory behind pest management decisions and specified an applied methodology for carrying out pest control. Sampling, economic thresholds and selective insecticides were three of the critical elements of that methodology and are now considered indispensable to the goals of IPM. We examine each of these elements in the context of contemporaneous information as well as accumulated experience and knowledge required for their skillful implementation in an IPM program. We conclude that while IPM is principally about integrating control tactics into an effective and sustainable approach to pest control, this overarching goal can only be achieved through well‐trained practitioners, knowledgeable of the tenets conceived in the integrated control concept that ultimately yield informed pest management. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Female age as a factor determining the patterns of tree canopy utilisation by the European cherry fruit fly,Rhagoletis cerasi

The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi is a univoltine, oligophagous pest of cultivated sweet cherries. The pest is closely associated with the canopy of its host tree, and its on-farm behaviour and mobility are determined by the crop structure and spatial arrangement of the farm. However, in spite of its relevance to integrated pest management, little is known about the within-canopy behaviour of R. cerasi, or the role of host and non-host canopy traits in local pest translocations. This paper reports the results of our exploratory studies, which reveal the modulating role of female age on various aspects of R. cerasi on-farm behaviour, such as diurnal and lifetime patterns of canopy utilisation and within-canopy activity, the propensity to undertake local explorative errands and the response to volatiles emanating from host and non-host canopies. The potential implications of our findings on the development of site-optimised IPM and/or pest-resilient agro-landscapes were also discussed.     

害虫种群区域性生态调控的系统策略

害虫种群的区域性分布特征和生态调控已经成为近十年来综合治理研究的热点问题。经过几十年的发展,害虫生态调控的防控技术表现了可持续和绿色等特征,但从田块到区域尺度的生态调控系统策略还不完善,很多仍需依赖传统的化学防治为辅助。面对农业害虫区域性灾变的重大农业生态学问题,本文总结了害虫种群的区域性分布特征,包括区域性、异质性、扩散性、突发性、协同性五大特征;重点阐述了害虫种群区域性生态调控的系统策略,形成了预防性管理、靶向式调控、成灾后治理三位一体的害虫“防控治”生态调控体系,协调多种生态调控技术在区域水平内“防控治”才能有效遏制害虫种群的持续暴发;对害虫种群的区域性管理进行了展望,未来害虫种群的区域性生态调控不仅要考虑经济指标,还需要具备安全、高效、精准、可持续四大核心特点。因此,害虫种群的区域化生态调控是未来保障农业生产和生态安全的必然选择。     

小麦重大病虫害综合防治技术体系

小麦是我国的主要粮食作物,病虫害是影响其稳产、高产的重要生物灾害。本文综述了自“七五”以来,我国小麦重大病虫害综合防治技术体系的主要研究进展,内容涉及综合防治的指导思想与策略、基本思路以及不同麦区病虫害综合防治技术体系基本模式,并对现有综合防治体系中存在的问题和发展前景进行了讨论。     

The Red Queen in a potato field: integrated pest management versus chemical dependency in Colorado potato beetle control

Originally designed to reconcile insecticide applications with biological control, the concept of integrated pest management (IPM) developed into the systems‐based judicious and coordinated use of multiple control techniques aimed at reducing pest damage to economically tolerable levels. Chemical control, with scheduled treatments, was the starting point for most management systems in the 1950s. Although chemical control is philosophically compatible with IPM practices as a whole, reduction in pesticide use has been historically one of the main goals of IPM practitioners. In the absence of IPM, excessive reliance on pesticides has led to repeated control failures due to the evolution of resistance by pest populations. This creates the need for constant replacement of failed chemicals with new compounds, known as the ‘insecticide treadmill’. In evolutionary biology, a similar phenomenon is known as the Red Queen principle – continuing change is needed for a population to persevere because its competitors undergo constant evolutionary adaptation. The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an insect defoliator of potatoes that is notorious for its ability to develop insecticide resistance. In the present article, a review is given of four case studies from across the United States to demonstrate the importance of using IPM for sustainable management of a highly adaptable insect pest. Excessive reliance on often indiscriminate insecticide applications and inadequate use of alternative control methods, such as crop rotation, appear to expedite evolution of insecticide resistance in its populations. Resistance to IPM would involve synchronized adaptations to multiple unfavorable factors, requiring statistically unlikely genetic changes. Therefore, integrating different techniques is likely to reduce the need for constant replacement of failed chemicals with new ones. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nonchemical management of soilborne pests in fresh market vegetable production systems

ABSTRACT Nonchemical methods including host resistance, organic amendments, crop rotation, soil solarization, and cultural practices have been used to control soilborne pests in fresh market vegetable production systems. Their suitability as alternatives to methyl bromide will depend on the approach to pest management used by the grower. Traditionally, methyl bromide is used in production systems that rely on the single application of a broad-spectrum biocide to disinfest soils prior to planting. Non-chemical methods are not suitable for a single tactic approach to pest management because they do not provide the same broad spectrum of activity or consistency as fumigation with methyl bromide. Nonchemical methods are compatible with an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, where multiple tactics are used to maintain damage from pests below an economic threshold while minimizing the impact to beneficial organisms. However, adoption of IPM is hindered by the paucity of economically feasible sampling programs and thresholds for soilborne pests and by a reluctance of growers to commit additional resources to the collection and management of biological information. A novel approach to the management of soilborne pests is to design the crop production system to avoid pest outbreaks. Using this "proactive" approach, a tomato production system was developed using strip-tillage into existing bahia-grass pasture. By minimizing inputs and disruption to the pasture, growers were able to reap the rotational benefits of bahiagrass without cultivating the rotational crop. While minimizing the need for interventive procedures, a proactive approach is difficult to integrate into existing crop production systems and will require several years of testing and validation.     

Current options in integrated management of plant-parasitic nematodes

Efficient management of plant-parasitic nematodes requires the carefully integrated combination of several methods. Although each individual method of management has a limited use, together, they help in reducing the nematode populations in agricultural soils or in plants. A public desire for methods of managing plant pests in ways that do not pollute or otherwise degrade the environment has increased concomitantly with progress in research. Integrated pest management (IPM) provides a working methodology for pest management in sustainable agriculutural systems. In this paper, current methods for the management of plant-parasitic nematodes are discussed within the guidelines of IPM. The emphasis is on the methods by which decisions are made to manage nematode problems with the most effective and widely used management strategies. The advantages and difficulties associated with nematicidal chemicals (i.e. cost, reinfestation of soil after harvest, contamination of ground water and residues in fruits and vegetables), biological control (by predatory or parasitic fungi and nematodes) and management with cultural methods (including the use of uncontaminated plants or seeds, crop rotation, modification of sowing and/or harvesting times, trap crops and resistant varieties etc.) are considered     

上行效应与下行效应在番茄潜叶蛾防控中的应用

番茄潜叶蛾Tuta absoluta源自南美洲,是一种具有恶性入侵性、暴发性和毁灭性的害虫。该害虫自2017年入侵我国新疆维吾尔自治区伊犁哈萨克自治州,目前已在我国云南、贵州和四川等近20个省（区）相继发生,对番茄等茄科类作物造成严重威胁,亟需开展害虫综合治理研究与田间应用。该文基于土壤-作物-害虫-天敌互作系统中上行效应与下行效应的生态学原理,综述土壤氮素、根际微生物、作物抗性、作物和非作物多样性以及天敌昆虫在番茄潜叶蛾种群控制中的作用,对番茄潜叶蛾综合防控进行展望。     

Plant training for induced defense against insect pests: a promising tool for integrated pest management in cotton

Enhancing cotton pest management using plant natural defenses has been described as a promising way to improve the management of crop pests. We here reviewed various studies on cotton growing systems to illustrate how an ancient technique called plant training, which includes plant topping and pruning, may contribute to this goal. Using examples from cotton crops, we show how trained plants can be brought to a state of enhanced defense that causes faster and more robust activation of their defense responses. We revisit the agricultural benefits associated with this technique in cotton crops, with a focus on its potential as a supplementary tool for integrated pest management (IPM). In particular, we examine its role in mediating plant interactions with conspecific neighboring plants, pests and associated natural enemies. We propose a new IPM tool, plant training for induced defense, which involves inducing plant defense through artificial injury. Experimental evidence from various studies shows that cotton training is a promising technique, particularly for smallholders, which can be used as part of an IPM program to significantly reduce insecticide use and to improve productivity in cotton farming. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Integrated pest management in protected ornamentals in England1

During the past 2 years, there has been a rapid expansion of integrated pest management (IPM) in the ornamental sector of the glasshouse industry. Most of this expansion has resulted from improved availability of Amblyseius spp. for the control of thrips, although there is little information on the likelihood of success with this predator. IPM was done on 20 plant species on 21 nurseries in south-east England and there were many successes with crops that would normally receive intensive insecticide programmes to control thrips. Each plant species required its own IPM programme to be devised according to its pest complex. Techniques, particularly to monitor IPM, were devised and some staff were trained to assist in the monitoring. IPM is generally twice as expensive as routine insecticide programmes but has other advantages such as a safer environment for staff and better crop quality.     

诱集植物在农业害虫综合治理中的应用

诱集植物作为害虫综合治理的重要措施已经越来越引起关注。本文介绍了诱集植物利用的原理和历史,简述了诱集植物的优点,讨论了诱集植物在害虫治理中的应用,并展望了诱集植物的应用前景。     

Effect of cassava mosaic disease,soil fertility,plant spacing and their interactions on cassava yields in Zanzibar

Improvement of farmers' decision-making has been recognised as critical for the implementation of IPM, yet practitioners lack sound knowledge on the 'how and why' of farmers' decision-making processes. This study explored the perceptions, pest management practice, decision tools and sources of information of smallholder farmers growing cotton in India and vegetables in Kenya. Farmers trained under an Insecticide Resistance Management and two IPM Farmer Field School projects were compared with untrained farmers from the same localities, using individual interviews and participatory group analysis methods. Trained farmers' decision-making was enhanced, by the use of more decision tools and new sources of information and technologies and they were generally more confident in their pest management strategies than untrained farmers. As a result, trained farmers reduced their pest management costs but did not always obtain higher gross margins. Issues of gender, sustainability, economics and group action are discussed, along with recommendations for research and extension to take a closer look at farmers' decision-making processes in cash and subsistence crops.     

The role of bacillus-based biological control agents in integrated pest management systems: plant diseases

ABSTRACT Bacillus-based biological control agents (BCAs) have great potential in integrated pest management (IPM) systems; however, relatively little work has been published on integration with other IPM management tools. Unfortunately, most research has focused on BCAs as alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides or bactericides and not as part of an integrated management system. IPM has had many definitions and this review will use the national coalition for IPM definition: "A sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks." This review will examine the integrated use of Bacillus-based BCAs with disease management tools, including resistant cultivars, fungicides or bactericides, or other BCAs. This integration is important because the consistency and degree of disease control by Bacillus-based BCAs is rarely equal to the control afforded by the best fungicides or bactericides. In theory, integration of several tools brings stability to disease management programs. Integration of BCAs with other disease management tools often provides broader crop adaptation and both more efficacious and consistent levels of disease control. This review will also discuss the use of Bacillus-based BCAs in fungicide resistance management. Work with Bacillus thuringiensis and insect pest management is the exception to the relative paucity of reports but will not be the focus of this review.     

Spatial distribution of weeds in arable crops: are current sampling and analytical methods appropriate?

This paper reviews the literature concerning the spatial distribution of weeds; highlighting the limitations of our current sampling and analytical methodologies, and suggesting how these inadequacies can be addressed. Most research studies have used discrete sampling, i.e. weeds are counted within a quadrat, on a grid basis. Few have mapped weeds at a whole-field scale, either with a resolution appropriate to spraying operations or key ecological processes. Statistical analyses used to describe the data can be divided into two main types, spatially implicit (also at the scale of the sampling unit) or spatially explicit, in which the location of individuals is included in the analyses. Spatially implicit methods can be strongly affected by quadrat size and mean density and are of doubtful benefit. More attention is required to address sampling resolution issues for spatially explicit methods. Our understanding of the formation and dynamics of spatial pattern, as well as predicting the consequences of site-specific management, can be improved with models. Unfortunately, most models consider only newly expanding patches and appear incapable of predicting spatial distributions when an area has been fully invaded. More detailed biological information is required if models are to become more realistic and informative. We also need to ensure that we understand the spatial processes in the context of the whole field environment, to optimize the success of site-specific weed management in the longer term.     

The need to implement the landscape of fear within rodent pest management strategies

Current reactive pest management methods have serious drawbacks such as the heavy reliance on chemicals, emerging genetic rodenticide resistance and high secondary exposure risks. Rodent control needs to be based on pest species ecology and ethology to facilitate the development of ecologically based rodent management (EBRM). An important aspect of EBRM is a strong understanding of rodent pest species ecology, behaviour and spatiotemporal factors. Gaining insight into the behaviour of pest species is a key aspect of EBRM. The landscape of fear (LOF) is a mapping of the spatial variation in the foraging cost arising from the risk of predation, and reflects the levels of fear a prey species perceives at different locations within its home range. In practice, the LOF maps habitat use as a result of perceived fear, which shows where bait or traps are most likely to be encountered and used by rodents. Several studies have linked perceived predation risk of foraging animals with quitting‐harvest rates or giving‐up densities (GUDs). GUDs have been used to reflect foraging behaviour strategies of predator avoidance, but to our knowledge very few papers have directly used GUDs in relation to pest management strategies. An opportunity for rodent control strategies lies in the integration of the LOF of rodents in EBRM methodologies. Rodent management could be more efficient and effective by concentrating on those areas where rodents perceive the least levels of predation risk. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.