Integrated Pest Management Tactics Research Articles

Field Distribution of <I>Dasineura oxycoccana</I> (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Adults, Larvae, Pupae, and Parasitoids and Evaluation of Monitoring Trap Designs in Florida

Blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson), is a pest of cultivated blueberries throughout the world. Larvae feed and develop in developing leaf buds, and also in flower buds of rabbiteye blueberries, which causes buds to fall off the plant. These injuries can cause up to 80% yield loss in heavy infestations. As the larvae are protected from insecticides, adults must be targeted with foliar applications. Consequently, the detection of adults through an effective monitoring program is critical to time insecticide sprays against the blueberry gall midge. Understanding the distribution of the midge and its parasitoids is also important information for developing a more effective pest management program. A comparison of three monitoring trap types demonstrated that bucket emergence traps and clear panel traps captured similar numbers of midges, although the bucket trap is more sensitive at low population levels. Using bucket emergence traps, we found that nearly 80% of the midges collected pupated within 48 cm of the blueberry bush, suggesting that a targeted soil treatment may be a viable integrated pest management tactic that could be included in a midge management program. Traps and bud samples demonstrated that adult and larval midges and parasitoids were randomly distributed throughout the field in both years, with the exception of larval aggregation in early 2012. As parasitoid distribution is parallel to host occurrence within blueberry plantings, this increases the potential for biological control activities against the blueberry gall midge in fields that do not receive broad-spectrum insecticide applications.

Dynamic Complexity of a Switched Host-Parasitoid Model with Beverton-Holt Growth Concerning Integrated Pest Management

The switched discrete host-parasitoid model with Beverton-Holt growth concerning integrated pest management has been proposed, and the switches are guided by the economic threshold (ET). The integrated pest management (IPM) tactics are applied to prevent the economic injury if the density of host population exceeds the ET, and the IPM tactics are called off once the density of host population descends below ET. To begin with, the regular and virtual equilibria of switched system has been discussed by two or three parameter-bifurcation diagrams, which reveal the regions of different types of equilibria. Besides, numerical bifurcation analyses about inherent growth rates show that the switched discrete system may have complicated dynamics behavior including chaos and the coexistence of multiple attractors. Finally, numerical bifurcation analyses about killing rates indicate that the system comply with the Volterra principle, and initial values of both host and parasitoid populations affect the host outbreaks times.

Optimal Application Timing of Pest Control Tactics in Nonautonomous Pest Growth Model

Considering the effects of the living environment on growth of populations, it is unrealistic to assume that the growth rates of predator and prey are all constants in the models with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Therefore, a nonautonomous predator-prey system with impulsive effect is developed and investigated in the present work. In order to determine the optimal application timing of IPM tactics, the threshold value which guarantees the stability of pest-free periodic solution has been obtained firstly. The analytical formula of optimal application timings within a given period for different cases has been obtained such that the threshold value is the smallest, which is the most effective in successful pest control. Moreover, extensively numerical investigations have also been confirmed our main results and the biological implications have been discussed in more detail. The main results can guide the farmer to design the optimal pest control strategies.

Biology, Injury, and Management of Maple Tree Pests in Nurseries and Urban Landscapes

Favored for their rapid growth and brilliant fall color, maple ( Acer spp.) trees are among the most commonly grown deciduous shade trees in urban landscapes and commercial production nurseries. Many maple species used as ornamental plants share a suite of important arthropod pests that have the potential to reduce the trees' economic and esthetic value. We review the biology, damage, and management for the most important pests of maples with emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM) tactics available for each pest. Unfortunately, the biology of some of these pests is not well studied. This knowledge gap, paired with the low esthetic threshold for damage on ornamental plants, has hindered development of IPM tactics for maple pests in nurseries and landscapes. Maples will likely remain a common landscape plant. Therefore, our challenge is to improve IPM of the diverse maple pest complex.

Towards Integrated Pest Management in Red Clover Seed Production

The development of integrated pest management is hampered by lack of information on how insect pest abundances relate to yield losses, and how pests are affected by control measures. In this study, we develop integrated pest management tactics for Apion spp. weevils (Coleoptera: Brentidae) in seed production of red clover, Trifolium pratense L. We tested a method to forecast pest damage, quantified the relationship between pest abundance and yield, and evaluated chemical and biological pest control in 29 Swedish red clover fields in 2008 and 2011. Pest inflorescence abundance, which had a highly negative effect on yield, could be predicted with pan trap catches of adult pests. In 2008, chemical control with typically one application of pyrethroids was ineffective both in decreasing pest abundances and in increasing yields. In 2011, when chemical control included applications of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid, pest abundances decreased and yields increased considerably in treated field zones. A post hoc analysis indicated that using pyrethroids in addition to thiacloprid was largely redundant. Infestation rates by parasitoids was higher and reached average levels of around 40% in insecticide treated field zones in 2011, which is a level of interest for biological pest control. Based on the data presented, an economic threshold for chemical control is developed, and guidelines are provided on minimum effective chemical pest control.

A Degree-Day Model of Sheep Grazing Influence on Alfalfa Weevil and Crop Characteristics

Domestic sheep (Ovis spp.) grazing is emerging as an integrated pest management tactic for alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), management and a degree-day model is needed as a decision and support tool. In response to this need, grazing exclosures with unique degree-days and stocking rates were established at weekly intervals in a central Montana alfalfa field during 2008 and 2009. Analyses indicate that increased stocking rates and grazing degree-days were associated with decreased crop levels of weevil larvae. Larval data collected from grazing treatments were regressed against on-site and near-site temperatures that produced the same accuracy. The near-site model was chosen to encourage producer acceptance. The regression slope differed from zero, had an r2 of 0.83, and a root mean square error of 0.2. Crop data were collected to achieve optimal weevil management with forage quality and yield. Differences were recorded in crude protein, acid and neutral detergent fibers, total digestible nutrients, and mean stage by weight. Stem heights differed with higher stocking rates and degree-days recording the shortest alfalfa canopy height at harvest. The degree-day model was validated at four sites during 2010 with a mean square prediction error of 0.74. The recommendation from this research is to stock alfalfa fields in the spring before 63 DD with rates between 251 and 583 sheep days per hectare (d/ha). Sheep should be allowed to graze to a minimum of 106 and maximum of 150 DD before removal. This model gives field entomologists a new method for implementing grazing in an integrated pest management program.

Microencapsulated Pear Ester Enhances Insecticide Efficacy in Walnuts for Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The efficacy of combining insecticides with a microencapsulated formulation of ethyl (2E,4Z) -2,4-decadienoate (pear ester, PE-MEC) was evaluated in walnuts, Juglans regia L., for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella Walker (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). Two types of studies were conducted to compare the use of insecticides with and without PE-MEC. In the first study, PE-MEC in combination with reduced rates of insecticides, including chlorpyrifos, phosmet, methoxyfenozide, and codling moth granulovirus were evaluated in single tree replicates. PE-MEC was tested at one to three rates (0.6, 1.8, and 4.4 g active ingredient ha(-1)) with each insecticide. In the second study, seasonal programs including sprays of esfenvalerate, chlorpyrifos, and ethyl parathion at full rates were evaluated in replicated two ha blocks. Significant reductions in nut injury occurred in the single-tree trial with treatments of PE-MEC plus insecticide compared with the insecticides used alone against both pest species; except with methoxyfenozide for navel orangeworm. Similarly, nut injury in the large plots was significantly reduced with the addition of PE-MEC, except for navel orangeworm in one of the two studies. These results suggest that adding pear ester as a microencapsulated spray can improve the efficacy of a range of insecticides for two key pests and foster the development of integrated pest management tactics with reduced insecticide use in walnut.

Biology and management of North American cone-feedingDioryctriaspecies

AbstractConeworms,DioryctriaZeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), are destructive pests of conifers across North America, and members of several different species groups present significant pest-management challenges in conifer seed orchards.Dioryctria abietivorellaGrote (abietellagroup) is the most pestiferousDioryctriaspecies in Canada. Despite this status, control tactics are currently limited to broad-spectrum pesticides that threaten non-target species and may result in pesticide resistance. The development of integrated pest management programs targetingDioryctriaspecies will benefit from a conceptual framework on which to base future research. To create this structure, we review the systematics, evolutionary ecology, and management of cone-feeding North AmericanDioryctriaspecies. Current research suggests that many species boundaries are in need of further revision. Major gaps in our understanding ofDioryctriaecology impede the development of integrated pest management tactics. For example, host-generated semiochemicals are important inDioryctriareproduction, although the uses of these cues in host-finding and host acceptance remain unknown. Future research should identify factors that mediate population distribution at landscape (e.g., migration), local (e.g., feeding stimulants), and temporal (e.g., development thresholds) scales.

FERTILIZANTE ORGANOMINERAL COMO INDUTOR DE RESISTÊNCIA CONTRA A COLONIZAÇÃO DA MOSCA BRANCA NO FEIJOEIRO

The potential for resistant Bemisia tabaci populations to develop as a consequence of intensive use of chemical insecticides has stimulated studies on integrated pest management tactics, for example, the induction of host-plant resistance.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the biofertilizer in the resistance induction in bean to the whitefly. Tests were accomplished with free-choice and no-choice tests of oviposition preference of the insect in cultivating of carioca bean. The design was completely randomized, with four treatments, being accomplished a general application in the soil, except for witness. After the first definitive pair’s of leaves appearance the applications were road leaf, being the treatments in the following way: 1, witness, 2) just an application in the soil, 3) an application in the soil one more application to foliate, 4) an application in the soil more two applications foliate. The biofertilizer caused negative effect in the population of the whitefly for the reduction of the oviposition. In that way, that product can be efficient in the handling of the whitefly in bean plantings

An overview of integrated pest management (IPM) in north-eastern Australian grain farming systems: past, present and future prospects

The authors overview integrated pest management (IPM) in grain crops in north-eastern Australia, which is defined as the area north of latitude 32°S. Major grain crops in this region include the coarse grains (winter and summer cereals), oilseeds and pulses. IPM in these systems is complicated by the diversity of crops, pests, market requirements and cropping environments. In general, the pulse crops are at greatest risk, followed by oilseeds and then by cereal grains. Insecticides remain a key grain pest management tool in north-eastern Australia. IPM in grain crops has benefited considerably through the increased adoption of new, more selective insecticides and biopesticides for many caterpillar pests, in particular Helicoverpa spp. and loopers, and the identification of pest–crop scenarios where spraying is unnecessary (e.g. for most Creontiades spp. populations in soybeans). This has favoured the conservation of natural enemies in north-eastern Australia grain crops, and has arguably assisted in the management of silverleaf whitefly in soybeans in coastal Queensland. However, control of sucking pests and podborers such as Maruca vitrata remains a major challenge for IPM in summer pulses. Because these crops have very low pest-damage tolerances and thresholds, intervention with disruptive insecticides is frequently required, particularly during podfill. The threat posed by silverleaf whitefly demands ongoing multi-pest IPM research, development and extension as this pest can flare under favourable seasonal conditions, especially where disruptive insecticides are used injudiciously. The strong links between researchers and industry have facilitated the adoption of IPM practices in north-eastern Australia and augers well for future pest challenges and for the development and promotion of new and improved IPM tactics.

Effectiveness of Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Areawide Pest Management in South Dakota

Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence and Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are serious pests of maize, Zea mays L. To reduce the amount of toxicants released into the environment, the Agricultural Research Service implemented a 5-yr (1997-2001) areawide pest management program in five geographic locations, including one in South Dakota. The objective was to use integrated pest management tactics to suppress adult Diabrotica populations over a broad geographic area by using aerially applied semiochemical-baited insecticides. Suppressed populations theoretically should reduce oviposition, limit larval feeding damage to maize roots, and result in fewer beetles emerging in subsequent years. We used emergence cages, sticky traps, and CRW lure traps to monitor adult D. barberi and D. v. virgifera populations. We sampled for Diabrotica eggs, and we determined damage to maize roots. We sampled in several maize fields (control) located near the areawide site. The baited insecticides were effective in reducing adult populations 1 and 2 wk after application, and most remained low for the duration of the maize growing season. Fewer beetles were captured in both sticky and lure traps in the areawide site than in the control site. With a few exceptions, egg counts, adult emergence, and maize root damage were similar between the areawide and control sites; however, maize roots had greater fresh weight in the control site. Although not all goals were accomplished, when considering the amount of toxicant released into the environment, using semiochemical-baited insecticides to suppress adult pest Diabrotica populations seems to be an effective areawide management tool.

Integrated control of pests in tropical and subtropical sweet pepper production

Sweet pepper is now grown, in tropical and subtropical areas, under the integrated pest management (IPM) tactic of 'physical barrier', whereas it was once grown primarily in open fields. This management tactic, when properly employed, has the advantage of eliminating many of the larger open-field pests, and has resulted in greatly increased pepper yields. However, certain other pest populations are exacerbated by this IPM tactic. This paper reviews the primary pests and current control tactics in sweet pepper.

Influence of host diet on parasitoid fitness: unravelling the complexity of a temperate pastoral agroecosystem

AbstractParasitoid fitness is closely associated with the condition of the host insect, and the condition of the host is partly dependent on the quality and quantity of plant food available. The relationship between host diet and parasitoid fitness therefore has the potential to indirectly mediate complex multitrophic interactions. This relationship may be influenced both by the presence of mycotoxins from endophytic fungi, which share symbiotic relationships with plants and cause reductions in host‐plant quality for herbivores, and by the availability of beneficial nutrient‐rich plant foods such as pollen. This study used a multitrophic system involving ryegrass, a fungal endophyte, pollen, and an insect herbivore and its parasitoid to study the effect of host diet on parasitoid fitness. Previous studies showed that the larval stage of the parasitoid was negatively influenced by the presence of fungal‐derived alkaloids in the diet of its host, but no assessment of effects on the adult stage of the parasitoid had been made. Similarly, the effect of pollen in the diet of the host on the fitness of the parasitoid had not previously been examined. In this study, the fitness of parasitoids reared from hosts fed endophyte‐free ryegrass, endophyte‐free ryegrass plus pollen, or endophyte‐infected ryegrass was assessed in two laboratory experiments. Host insects exhibited significant responses to treatment, but remarkably, there were no significant treatment effects on parasitoid development times, the number of successful parasitoid emergences, tibia length, or preoviposition egg complement. The absence of a strong relationship between host diet and parasitoid fitness in this study differs markedly from studies of other parasitoid–host systems in that the adult stage of this parasitoid appears remarkably unresponsive to variation in host condition. This work contributes to a better understanding of multitrophic interactions and to the refinement of integrated pest management tactics in a temperate pastoral agroecosystem.

The linkage between integrated pest management and agroecosystem management: a case study in the Bajío, México

Integrated pest management tactics are associated with and can be used simultaneously at various spatial and temporal scales. Integrating pest management tactics requires careful matching of tactics with their most relevant spatial scales, rather than forcing all tactics to be relevant at a single scale, such as an individual field for a single cropping cycle. A case study is provided of the evolution of control tactics from a focus on individual fields with a short time horizon, to improved pest management throughout a region. The case study is of diamondback moth control in the Bajio region of Mexico, a serious enough challenge to force cooperation at regional scales and cause the shift in tactics described. At the largest spatial and temporal scales, control included establishment of a host-free period that requires cooperation and practical changes in production practices throughout the agroecosystem. A time series analysis of diamondback moth population trends in the Bajio, measured by various kinds of data in different locations and over different time periods, was used to document changes in the pattern of pest population densities over time; changes in the pest population were then compared with changes over time in control strategies and in the agroecosystem itself. Although diamondback moth populations have increased and the pattern of population fluctuations has changed between 1988 and 2004, management of individual fields can still minimize pest damage through careful use of available control measures. The greater potential for improving control of diamondback moth, however, appears to be changing the agroecosystem itself at larger spatial and temporal scales, perhaps by production and processing of additional crops in the region.

Occurrence of insecticide resistance in field populations of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Pakistan

Field populations of Spodoptera litura from Pakistan were evaluated for their resistance to conventional insecticidal chemistries viz. organochlorine (endosulfan), organophosphates (chlorpyrifos, phoxim, quinalphos, profenofos), carbamates (methomyl, thiodicarb) and pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin) during 1997–2005 using a leaf-dip bioassay method. Generally, resistance levels were very low to low to endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, phoxim, quinalphos, profenofos, bifenthrin and thiodicarb, and moderate to high to methomyl and cyfluthrin. Correlation analysis indicated that insecticides belonging to the same class such as organophosphate, carbamate or pyrethroid exhibited a positive cross-resistance in S. litura. Positive correlation was also found between endosulfan and carbamates. Except methomyl and bifenthrin, which were negatively correlated, there was no cross-resistance between organophosphate or carbamate or pyrethroid insecticides in the resistant populations of S. litura. Integrated pest management tactics aimed at reducing pesticidal applications, rotating chemistries of diverse modes of action and conserving natural enemies are recommended.

Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Tactics by Wisconsin Farmers

Agronomic research and extension personnel generally recognize the benefits of integrated pest management (IPM) but IPM practices have not been rapidly adopted by farmers. In order for applied research and extension programs to be as influential as possible, strategies and tactics must be evaluated in the context of the real-world constraints experienced by farmers. We investigated the linkage between farmers' pest management behaviors, attitudes, and constraints by analyzing an extensive corn pest management survey distributed throughout Wisconsin in 2002. Our objectives were to (1) create a benchmark against which future changes in pest management practices could be detected and (2) explore potential associations between practices and farm characteristics, e.g., farm size or commodity produced. A total of 213 farmers responded with descriptions of their operations; weed, insect, and disease pest management practices; crop consultant usage; interactions with their local agrichemical dealer; and attitudes regarding pest management decision-making. We compared the relative responses of cash-grain and dairy farmers as well as managers of large and small farms. Larger farm size and percentage of operation in cash-grain production were associated with an increased frequency of rotating crops, rotating herbicide families, and use of a broadcast herbicide application. Managers of large farms and/or cash-grain crops also more frequently indicated considering the level of pest control, price, carryover potential, weed resistance management, environmental safety, and risk to the applicator than did dairy or small-sized operations. Cash-grain farmers had significantly higher scores on a calculated IPM index than did dairy farmers (P < 0.0001). We also found a significant positive relationship between farm size and IPM score (P < 0.0001). Our results provide a benchmark for future comparisons of IPM adoption rates in Wisconsin and highlight the association between IPM research/extension and farmers' management behavior.

Cereal yield losses caused by lepidopterous stemborers at different nitrogen fertilizer rates in Ethiopia

Abstract: Field trials were carried out at three locations in the cool‐wet western and one location in the semiarid eastern ecozones of the Amhara State of Ethiopia to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on pest infestation and yield losses caused by lepidopterous stemborers in maize and sorghum. Three N fertilizer levels, i.e. 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha for maize, and 41, 64, and 87 kg/ha for sorghum, were compared with a zero N treatment. The dominant pest species were the noctuid Busseola fusca (Fuller) and the invasive crambid Chilo partellus (Swinhoe). Leaf N content was positively related to N fertilizer dosage. In general, pest density, parasitism, plant growth and borer damage variables increased with crop growth stage. On sorghum, in the cool‐wet western Amhara, increasing levels of N fertilizer also tended to increase pest density, plant growth and damage variables. In the semiarid ecozone, parasitism by the exotic parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron tended to increase with N level. In the cool‐wet ecozone, sorghum yields increased by up to 74% because of fertilization; losses caused by stemborers decreased linearly with N dosage from 49% to 36%. In maize, because of low borer densities, there were no discernable trends for pest infestation and yield losses. In the cool‐wet ecozone, sorghum yields were positively related to insecticide application and plant height, and negatively to damage variables such as tunnelling and peduncle damage. In semiarid eastern Amhara, the effects of fertilizer on pest, damage and yield were low on both crops because of the higher soil fertility. The results indicate that the profitability of nitrogen fertilizer as an integrated pest management tactic in the control of cereal stemborers depends, among others, on the severity of borer damage and the soil fertility status prevailing in an area. It is concluded that N fertilizer helps minimize the impact of borers on grain yields, especially on sorghum and in the cool‐wet ecozone.

MELON PEST MANAGER—CHALLENGES OF A NEW INFORMATION RESOURCE

Geographical dispersion of production hampers watermelon integrated pest management (IPM) information delivery in Oklahoma. Melon Pest Manager (MPM) was created to educate and provide advisory information on IPM. Available at www.lane-ag.org, the site emphasizes information relevant to the area. MPM was conceived as Internet availability grew and was recognized to have potential for enhancing IPM implementation. Survey of producers suggested the value of Web-based information may depend on how easily it can be accessed. MPM was designed to provide easy access to watermelon IPM information. Compared to printed literature, web-based format is easier to revise and suited to presentation of information that applies yearly as well as that which may change frequently. MPM provides general discussion of melon IPM tactics and pest-identification and time sensitive information such as pest advisories and pesticide registration changes. MPM offers opportunity for novel presentation of educational information such as the real-time posting of field demonstrations. An initial challenge was to balance site development, promotion and education. Promotion and education followed placement of watermelon IPM tactic information on MPM but preceded advisory and pest identification. Pest identification links to existing sources are enhanced by material prepared for MPM. Progress is slowed by the need for expert intervention and the availability of images and descriptive information. Education on use of advisory resources (e.g., disease forecasters) is a high priority. However, availability and applicability of such products is dependent on the home site. The original concept envisaged mapping of pest activity using grower, extension agent and expert input. Time demands of other components of the site delay development of this aspect. Pest alerts are posted and distributed to county extension offices.

Reduced Susceptibility to Tebufenozide in Populations of the Sugarcane Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Louisiana

Susceptibility of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), to tebufenozide was measured using a feeding bioassay, and values obtained were compared with baselines generated before the use of this insecticide in Louisiana sugarcane, Saccharum spp. Results from our study suggest that susceptibility to tebufenozide is decreasing in field-collected sugarcane borers. Inflections in the log dosage-probit lines were detected for many of the field collections, indicating increased heterogeneity within these populations in response to tebufenozide. Where appropriate, probit transformation was used to estimate susceptibility, and significant differences (1.6 - 2.7-fold) were measured in LC50 values between some field-collected cohorts and the previously measured baseline. In addition, a discriminating concentration (0.5 ppm) was used to estimate resistance frequencies in cohorts for which probit transformation was not appropriate. Results from these tests suggest that frequencies of resistance were high (49% in one cohort) in populations from some locations. Lighter weight pupae of the survivors from one of the more resistant cohorts suggests that tebufenozide resistance mechanisms may have a biological cost in terms of ecological fitness at early stages of resistance development. As a result of continued resistance monitoring, alternation of management chemistry is expected to help preserve this valuable sugarcane integrated pest management tactic.

Impact of planting date on sunflower beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infestation, damage, and parasitism in cultivated sunflower.

The sunflower beetle, Zygogramma exclamationis (F.), is the major defoliating pest of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Planting date was evaluated as a potential management tool in a variety of production regions throughout North Dakota from 1997 to 1999, for its impact on sunflower beetle population density of both adults and larvae, defoliation caused by both feeding stages, seed yield, oil content, and larval parasitism in cultivated sunflower. Results from this 3-yr study revealed that sunflower beetle adult and larval populations decreased as planting date was delayed. Delayed planting also reduced defoliation from adult and larval feeding, which is consistent with the lower numbers of the beetles present in the later seeded plots. Even a planting delay of only 1 wk was sufficient to significantly reduce feeding damage to the sunflower plant. Yield reduction caused by leaf destruction of the sunflower beetle adults and larvae was clearly evident in the first year of the study. The other component of sunflower yield, oil content, did not appear to be influenced by beetle feeding. The tachinid parasitoid, Myiopharus macellus (Rheinhard), appeared to be a significant mortality factor of sunflower beetle larvae at most locations regardless of the dates of planting, and was able to attack and parasitize the beetle at various larval densities. The results of this investigation showed the potential of delayed planting date as an effective integrated pest management tactic to reduce sunflower beetle adults, larvae, and their resulting defoliation. In addition, altering planting dates was compatible with biological control of the beetle, because delaying the planting date did not reduce the effectiveness of the parasitic fly, M. macellus, which attacks the sunflower beetle larvae.