Integrated Pest Management Measures Research Articles

Attitudes of clients of Dutch pest controllers towards integrated pest management (IPM) and preventive measures in relation to rodent nuisance.

Rodent management with lethal methods (e.g., rodenticides) comes with downsides for rodent welfare, the environment and non-target species. To reduce chemical use and prevent rodent nuisance, pest controllers in the Netherlands must work according to the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). A condition for the success of IPM is that there is sufficient engagement of all parties involved, including clients of pest controllers. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the attitudes of clients regarding rodent control, IPM and the application of preventive measures. Insight into their attitudes may contribute to a better implementation of IPM and with that to a more sustainable rodent management based on more effective prevention. An online survey among 248 clients of Dutch pest controllers from both the agricultural and other sectors was carried out. Respondents from the agricultural sector had a relatively negative attitude towards IPM, the new IPM regulations in the Netherlands and had little confidence in prevention. In other sectors, respondents were more positive about IPM and had more confidence in prevention. The respondents from the latter subgroup had a similar attitude compared to Dutch pest controllers who participated in a previous survey. The findings of the study provide information for the further development and practical implementation of IPM and preventive measures and with that a more sustainable and animal friendly rodent management. They can also be helpful for a better communication and cooperation between pest controllers and their clients. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrated pest management of Hypsipyla robusta shoot-tip borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Chukrasia tabularis (Sapindales: Meliaceae).

Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss produces a valuable timber but plantations are susceptible to attack by the shoot-tip borer Hypsipyla robusta Moore. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach is desirable to limit the extent of damage. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the deployment of IPM measures in plantations in Vietnam. Data on tree damage and the biology of H. robusta were gathered in 4 provinces over one year and used to build an investigation schedule. Two preliminary IPM trials were then established in which Bacillus thuringiensis and Metarhizium anisopliae were applied to the foliage when the damage incidence (P%) was in the range 5-10%; and insecticides (Carbaryl, Carbosulfan) were applied when the P% exceeded 10%. In addition, larvae and pupae were removed manually over time. In the first trial, the combination of manual and biological control methods reduced the damage index (DI) of trees from 4 tolerant families by 82% compared to the untreated control plots. In the second trial using standard planting stock, application of insecticides was required to reduce the DI by 83%. Six extended IPM trials were undertaken using the same IPM protocols and these reduced the DI to the same extent as in the preliminary trials. Over an 18-month period, the deployment of IPM increased height growth by 19-22% and diameter growth by 38-41% compared to the controls. These findings highlight the value of planting improved seed and the benefit of adopting an IPM approach to manage the shoot-tip borer.

Biology and integrated management of tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fab.: A systematic review

Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) has damaged in great extent in different cultivated crops. Mainly it affects solanaceous crops. It feeds on the leaves of the crop and crops seems as it is fed by the animals. In later stage it damages whole plant causing rotting of plant. Commercial farmers are normally relying on chemical pesticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy is suggested as a best option of pest management. Using respective trap crop of major crops has been found most effective method as trap has multiple advantages for the small-scale farmers. Handpicking can be effectively used for the fourth and fifth instar of the larva. This systematic review aims to collect the general biology of tobacco caterpillar and related species as well as various IPM measures of pest management. The details pest biology, ecology, host distribution and integrated pest management are reviewed systematically and presented in review section. Reviews were carried out citing different journal articles, books, conference proceedings, thesis, reports, books sections etc. This review can be useful for the researchers, academicians and extension workers to develop an IPM protocol for the tobacco caterpillar.

QoI Resistance in Sugar Beet Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe betae) in Scandinavia

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe betae is one of the major fungal diseases in sugar beet in Denmark and Sweden. Frequent applications of fungicides mitigate the risk of powdery mildew epidemics and, consequently, reduce yield losses conferred by the disease. So far, mixtures of quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) and triazoles have provided good efficacy against E. betae in field trials and common farming practice. However, development of fungicide resistance is a real risk, because only a limited number of active ingredients are available for the control of powdery mildew in sugar beet, and several other active ingredients are expected to be banned following reevaluation when the most recent European Union legislation is implemented. The G143A mutation associated with QoI resistance has been previously found in the United States. In this brief, its presence in Europe is reported for the first time. The current finding strongly encourages the adoption of anti-resistance strategies that minimize the spread of QoI resistance in sugar beet powdery mildew. Those strategies should be based on integrated pest management measures, including disease monitoring, the use of resistant cultivars, and the use of biological products. A sole reliance on QoI fungicides for sugar beet powdery mildew control should be avoided.

Continuous Efforts over 10 Years for Storage Re-organization at the National Museum of Ethnology, Japan

ABSTRACT The National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan, collects a vast amount of materials and information related to peoples’ life and culture, and makes them available to society through exhibitions and other activities. The number of collected items is increasing every year: 343581 objects have been collected from Japan and abroad as of March 2017. The continuous efforts have been necessary to improve storage conditions and to save space for both general and special storerooms. The former, which account for 90% of the storage capacity of the museum, are air-conditioned during working hours, with temperature and relative humidity (RH) settings varying with the seasons. The latter, which house objects for which strict conservation conditions are required, are air-conditioned for 24 hours with fixed settings of temperature/RH throughout the year determined by the nature of the materials from which the objects have been made or formed. Storage re-organization began with special storerooms, for which the number of objects and the storage area are far more limited in comparison with the general storerooms. The storage shelves for fur/skin/feather (almost 1000 objects) and for carpets (almost 550 objects) were all renewed in FY2007/2008. Then two large-scale innovation projects for general storerooms were conducted: construction of storage areas for ships equipped with a CO2-based and anoxic pest treatment facility (FY2015), and a complete refurbishing of the general storeroom for large objects (FY2016). Windows were set in the corner of this storeroom to provide visitors an opportunity to view and learn about the museum activities. In parallel to the above projects, daily storage improvement efforts have been undertaken. Storeroom No. 3, chosen as an example for general storerooms for small and medium-sized objects, was used to investigate the range of issues related to the shelving arrangement and storage conditions. Guidelines for storage re-organization were formulated according to the results of the investigation and according to the experiences gained through the renewal of special storerooms. Storage re-organization undertaken in storeroom No. 3 was conducted for 6 years at the rate of around 2000–4000 objects per year with a low budget and with reuse of existing shelves. In FY2016, all objects in storeroom No. 3 were properly redistributed. About 40% of the storage space was saved. Over these 10 years of storage re-organization, preventive measures have been taken for sustainable collection management. As early as FY1992, pest trap investigations have been carried out seasonally. Since FY2004, the results of investigations have been analyzed using a customized computer program. Subsequently, appropriate integrated pest management measures have been taken. In addition, since FY2014, energy-efficient air-condition control has been adopted for general storerooms. It consists of switching off air-conditioning in spring and autumn, and of starting it only when the temperature or RH values become too high in summer or too low in winter. Because the turning-off of air-conditioning causes comparable or even less climatic fluctuation, it was considered acceptable both economically and from a conservation perspective. It is estimated that turning the air-conditioning off during transitional seasons brings cost savings of about 3000000–4000000 JPY (about 26800–35700 USD as of 23 September 2017) per annum, which accounts for almost 30% of the electricity expenditures for all general storerooms.

Perception vs practice: Farmer attitudes towards and uptake of IPM in Scottish spring barley

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a suite of ways by which to reduce the need for pesticide use, thus minimising environmental damage and pathogen resistance build-up in crop production. Farmers and agronomists active in the Scottish spring barley sector were surveyed to determine the extent to which they currently use or are open to implementing three IPM measures – varietal disease resistance, crop rotation, and forecasting disease pressure – in order to control three important fungal diseases. Overall, the survey results demonstrate that farmers and agronomists are open to using the three IPM techniques. However, gaps between actual and perceived recent practice were large: despite over 60% of farmers stating that they sowed varieties highly resistant to Rhynchosporium or Ramularia, less than one third of reportedly sown varieties were highly resistant to these diseases. Similarly, over 80% of farmers indicated that they used crop rotations, yet 66% of farmers also reported sowing consecutive barley often/always. Further research is needed in order to understand why these gaps exist, and how they can be reduced in future in order to increase IPM uptake and optimise pesticide use.

Diversity of methodologies to experiment Integrated Pest Management in arable cropping systems: Analysis and reflections based on a European network

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to promote physical and biological regulation strategies that help farmers contain populations of pests (pathogens, animal pests and weeds) and to finally reduce the reliance on pesticides. It is based on the holistic combination of multiple management measures rather than on the sum of single methods, each of them having only small effects on pests reduction. Thus, to analyse the interactions between IPM measures and to evaluate the sustainability of their implementation, we require an approach considering the whole cropping system (CS), i.e. a functional entity whose complexity is more than the sum of its parts. A network of European experiments at the CS level was set up recently, and aimed at sharing data and expertise to enhance knowledge of IPM. Comparison of existing methodologies highlighted a diversity of CS designs and experimental layouts. We deduced that the concept of CS itself was viewed differently among scientists, and this affected experimental protocols. Other differences were related to the research context and objectives. Some experiments aimed to explore very innovative strategies and generated knowledge on both their effects on the agroecosystem and their ability to satisfy a set of performance targets, while others aimed to provide quickly adoptable solutions for local farmers in line with the current socio-economic constraints. In some research programmes, the experiment was part of the CS design process — and tested CS were regularly revised based on an continuous improvement loop — while in other cases CS were kept stable across years so as to enable the evaluation of their long-term cumulative effects. A critical aspect contributing to the diversity among CS experiments was the distinction between a factorial design of experimental CS and systemic approaches: factorial experiments allowed quantification of the effects of each IPM component regardless of the consistency between components defining the CS. In contrast, systemic approaches focused on the overall evaluation of CS designed with consideration of their consistency, hence maximising their ability to meet the objectives. Because CS experiments represent a huge investment in terms of economics and time, preliminary reflections of the relevance of the experimental strategy is of critical importance.

Costs and effectiveness of on‐farm measures to reduce aquatic risks from pesticides in the Netherlands

The European Union requires growers to implement the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) by 2014. This paper provides a quantitative overview of the costs and effectiveness of voluntary IPM measures in 15 crops in the Netherlands. The authors will focus on aquatic risks and define effectiveness as the potential to reduce the risks posed to aquatic organisms. They further identify which of these measures have actually been adopted by growers and why certain measures have not been adopted. Of the 105 measures evaluated, the most effective measures with respect to risk reduction were emission reduction and replacement of high-risk pesticides (each up to 80% reduction). IPM measures directed towards lowering pesticide use generally showed a smaller risk-reducing potential. However, 40% of these measures reduced the overall cost of pest management. About 60% of all 105 measures were voluntarily implemented by growers. The most commonly adopted measures were pest prevention, low-dose spraying and spray drift reduction. Cost appeared to be an important incentive for adoption; however, other factors such as risk perception, education and practicability were equally important. Voluntary IPM measures have significantly contributed to reducing aquatic risks (15-50% risk reduction, depending on crop type). Further risk reduction could be achieved if more growers were to adopt the most effective measures, such as spray drift reduction and replacement of high-risk pesticides. However, IPM has hardly reduced the number of pesticide applications, and therefore the dependence on chemical crop protection continues to be high.

Factors influencing the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) by wheat growers in Varamin County, Iran

This paper presents recent results regarding driving factors and extent of adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques by wheat growers in Varamin county. By proportional random sampling, a total number of 72 wheat growers were selected. Data collection was done through a questionnaire which was developed in 2008. Variables of annual on-farm income, using level of information sources and communication channels, viewpoint on extension agents and level of knowledge were significantly and positively correlated with adoption of IPM measures.� The results of regression analysis showed that level of knowledge explained 58.9% of the variation in the adoption level of sustainable IPM practices. It is recommended that to reach farmer audiences with extension IPM education programs, greater consideration should be given to farmer and farm background, current use of IPM practices and preferences for educational formats.

Area-wide biological control of disease vectors and agents affecting wildlife.

Two examples of area-wide programmes, employing the sterile insect technique (SIT), which have eradicated a parasite and a disease vector common to domestic and wild animals are described. New World screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax, caused significant morbidity and mortality of livestock and wild mammals in tropical and subtropical areas of America before eradication was achieved in North America using the SIT and other components of an integrated pest management (IPM) programme. Movement of wild as well as domestic animals from an area which is infested with screwworm to a free area requires prophylactic treatment. Tsetse fly-borne trypanosomosis has an immense influence on the distribution of people and livestock in Africa. The immunotolerance of wildlife to the parasites is an important factor in maintaining some areas livestock free as wildlife refuges. Slaughter has ceased of wild hoofstock species considered to be disease reservoirs for control purposes. The SIT, combined with other IPM measures, has resulted in the eradication of the tsetse fly and trypanosomosis from Zanzibar. Other programmes in Africa are underway. Microbial 'biopesticides' have also been employed successfully against plant insect pests and some vectors of human disease. It seems likely that for the immediate future, wildlife may benefit from area-wide biological control programmes, intended mainly to protect humans and/or domestic animals.

Control of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, using integrated pest management measures. I. Feasibility of sterile male releases.

The feasibility of controlling the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans , on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands using sterile male releases was evaluated. With the observed rates of increase, population densities, daily emergence rate, and mass-rearing capacity, it was found that sterile male releases (SMRs) are feasible during the dry season at sterile:fertile ratios of 0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1 and at a 5:1 ratio if only a portion of the island is to be treated. Fewer options are available during the wet season, because rates of increase are too great to use SMR alone at the 0.5:1 and 1:1 sterile:fertile ratios, and only ½ of the island can be treated at 5:1. It is suggested that SMRs might be integrated into a pest management program, since partial suppression is all that would be necessary to reduce fly populations to levels low enough in both wet and dry seasons so that the SMR technique could be feasible.

Control of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, using integrated pest management measures. III. Field techniques and population control.

In July 1974 a 3-year feasibility study was initiated on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on the use of the sterile-male technique as a replacement or adjunct to insecticidal or physical measures to control or eliminate the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans. Sterile male insects, ca. 1 × 105/day (5 days/wk), were released over the 218 km2 island for 18 months in 1976–1977. Because of the large wild stable fly population, some of the major breeding sites were larvicided at intervals throughout the test. For the last 6 months of the study, better than 99.9% of the wild flies were eliminated; however, a few fertile flies were found throughout the study. These fertile flies either came from isolated breeding sites, had immigrated from other islands, or had been introduced with imported livestock and/or pets.