Articles
A quick and easy-to-apply monitoring strategy is the key to success for IPM in berry fruit
Article number
1378_11
Pages
83 – 88
Language
English
Abstract
Berry fruit production today employs biological control agents (predatory mites, parasitic wasps, lace wings, predatory bugs, etc.) to naturally suppress insect pests.
Because growers are unable to adequately monitor the presence and evolution of pests and beneficials in their crops, implementation and success of IPM can vary.
Insects such as aphids, spider mites, thrips, white fly and Drosophila suzukii are economically important pests amongst berry fruit crops.
Our monitoring technique (the current monitoring technique) was developed to address the apparent lack of inspection frequency among current commercial operations.
The technique can be easily applied in the field with a mobile device.
A limited number of random sites per ha are scored for visual signs of both predators and pests.
For each site the highest score observed per pest or predator is recorded.
By making these simple weekly observations, the evolution of pests and their natural enemies is mapped with clear, automatically generated graphs.
Also, insight is gained over potential economic threshold levels, optimal timing for introducing natural enemies or applying corrective insecticidal sprays.
Because growers are unable to adequately monitor the presence and evolution of pests and beneficials in their crops, implementation and success of IPM can vary.
Insects such as aphids, spider mites, thrips, white fly and Drosophila suzukii are economically important pests amongst berry fruit crops.
Our monitoring technique (the current monitoring technique) was developed to address the apparent lack of inspection frequency among current commercial operations.
The technique can be easily applied in the field with a mobile device.
A limited number of random sites per ha are scored for visual signs of both predators and pests.
For each site the highest score observed per pest or predator is recorded.
By making these simple weekly observations, the evolution of pests and their natural enemies is mapped with clear, automatically generated graphs.
Also, insight is gained over potential economic threshold levels, optimal timing for introducing natural enemies or applying corrective insecticidal sprays.
Authors
F. De Vis, T. Beliën, D. Bylemans
Keywords
monitoring technique, berry fruit, beneficials, weekly observation, biological control agents, integrated pest management
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