Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Spada UNS

Integrated Pest Management

(IPM)

What is IPM?

•

Ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or

their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation,

modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties.

Reasons for IPM

• Chemical pesticides can impact the human health and ecosystems

• Example: DDT, a pesticide, can

accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals and affect bird

reproduction

Reasons for IPM

• Insects can become resistant to

chemical pesticides

• Approximately 500

species of insects

are resistant to one

or more pesticides

How does IPM work?

• Reduces the amount of chemical

pesticides by using three possible

approaches:

– 1. Mechanical

– 2. Biological

– 3. Chemical

Mechanical approach:

• Limits the pest's access to food, water and harborage sites (i.e.

proper storage of food/water supplies or installation or repair of physical barriers to future

pest intrusion use of

mechanical devices (i.e. traps)

• Example – Japanese beetle traps

Biological approach:

• Introduction of a

natural enemy of the pest

• Example – Lady bugs feed on aphids and can be introduced to reduce the aphid

population on crops

Chemical approach:

• Pesticide applications that have minimal

risks associated with their use

• Using the least

amount of chemicals that will still be

effective

Insects use of Pheromones

• Pheromones are chemicals emitted by an animal that signals another animal of the same species.

• Example: female gypsy moths emit a pheromone to attract a male

Pheromones and IPM

• Pheromones can be utilized to catch or deter insects

• Example: Pheromone

“traps”, which contain the pheromone

emitted by the female gypsy moth can be set to catch male moths

Advantages & Disadvantages of IPM

• Reduce chemicals being used

• May reduce # of pesticide resistant insects

• Only uses chemicals if necessary

• Long term benefits (lower cost for chemicals, better for environment and

human health)

• Individual using IPM must be educated about the options

• Takes more time to initiate than simply “spraying for pests”

• Must be closely monitored for best results

• Natural enemies of pests may become pests

themselves

References:

• http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/IPMPROJECT/abo ut.html

• Raupp, M.J. – University of Maryland

• http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/urban/cropsci/c11st ruc/sipm.html

• LFSC 680 course notes

Natural enemies

• Predators, parasites, and pathogens

• To enhance their success ...

– Recognize them; know what they do – Minimize insecticide use

– Use selective insecticides in selective ways – Maintain favorable habitats

– Provide alternative foods (pollen, nectar, etc.)

Naturally occurring predators

• Aphid gourmets

– Green lacewings – Lady beetles

– Hover flies

Naturally occurring predators

• The unsung generalist insectivores

– Ground beetles – Rove beetles

– Predaceous bugs – Praying mantids – birds and bats

Predators available for purchase

• Green lacewings

• Convergent lady beetle

• Spined soldier bug

• Praying mantids

• Predaceous mites (for greenhouses)

Parasites

• “Alien” in real life

• Most are very host-specific

• Importation, establishment, and conservation generally are more appropriate than purchase and release

• (Augmentation is more valuable in greenhouses than in most garden and field situations)

Parasites to purchase

• Encarsia formosa against greenhouse whitefly in greenhouse production

• Trichogramma ostrinia

against Lepidopteran pests of vegetables, including

sweet corn

– Trichogramma spp. develop completely within the eggs of their host

Insect pathogens

• Viruses

• Bacteria

– Bacillus thuringiensis (various subspecies)

• Fungi

– Beauveria, Entomophthora, and Metarrhizium spp.

• Protozoa

– Nosema spp.

• Nematodes

– Steinernema & Heterorhabditis

Insecticides: Botanicals, microbials, and other alternatives

• Appropriate IF ...

– they are low in toxicity to nontarget organisms (“selective”)

– they do not persist in the environment (and are not moved to unwanted destinations)

• Selectivity and short persistence are weaknesses

as well as strengths

Insecticide references

• An Introduction to Insecticides, by George Ware, at

– http://www.ent.agri.umn.edu/academics/classes/ipm/cha pters/ware.htm

• Insecticides, Chemistries, and Characteristics, by Jeffrey Bloomquist, at

– http://www.ent.agri.umn.edu/academics/classes/ipm/cha pters/bloomq.htm

Botanicals

• Pyrethrins

– From pyrethrin daisies

– Axonic poisons – Low in toxicity to

mammals – Very rapid

breakdown ... no residual action – Used to kill fleas

and lice on humans and pets; labeled for use on many fruits and

vegetables

• Rotenone

– From roots of Derris and other tropical legumes

– Disrupts cellular respiration

– Moderate toxicity to mammals (~ Sevin);

very toxic to fish

– Moderate persistence (~ Sevin)

– Used against many pests, especially beetles

– No longer on the NOP list of approved

materials

Botanicals

• Sabadilla

– From seeds of a tropical lily

& European Veratrum spp.

– Axonic poison

– Very low in toxicity to mammals, but a severe membrane irritant

– Breaks down very rapidly – Effective against squash

bug, harlequin bug, and citrus thrips

• Ryania

– From woody stems of S.

American Ryania shrubs – Calcium channel poison – Low mammalian toxicity – More persistent than

rotenone but less potent – Used against caterpillars in

fruits and vegetables

• Sabadilla & ryania are not available now

Botanicals

• Neem

– From all parts of

Azadirachta and Melia spp.

– Mode of action unknown

– Low toxicity to mammals; used medicinally

– Very short persistence – Labeled on many crops

and landscape plants, especially against soft- bodied insects

• Citrus oil components

– Limonene and linalool – From citrus oils

– Very short persistence – Low acute toxicity to

mammals, but some evidence of chronic toxicity

– Less toxic than crude citrus extracts

– Mostly in pet shampoos, etc.

Botanicals

• Nicotine

– From tobacco, other Nicotiana spp., others – Acetylcholine mimic – Very toxic to humans,

orally and dermally

– Very short persistence – Used in greenhouses

against aphids, thrips, and mites

– Not on the NOP list of approved substances

• Citronella

• Pennyroyal

• Garlic

• Rosemary oil

• Hot pepper

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