Integrated Pest Integrated Pest Management Management

(IPM)(IPM)

What is 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 IPMReasons 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 IPMReasons 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?How does IPM work? Reduces the

amount of chemical pesticides by using three possible approaches: 1. Mechanical 2. Biological 3. Chemical

Mechanical Mechanical approach: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: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:Chemical approach:

Pesticide applications that have minimal risks associated with their use

Using the least amount of chemicals that will still be effective

Narrow Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum Pesticides

Narrow spectrum pesticides target only one or two pestsEX: Broad leaf weeds vs. grasses (Weed-B-Gone)

Broad spectrum pesticides target many organisms, not all are pests. EX: RAID, Roundup Herbicide.

Insects use of Insects use of PheromonesPheromones 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 IPMPheromones 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 & Advantages & Disadvantages of IPMDisadvantages 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

““To Keep Pests Below the To Keep Pests Below the Economic Injury Level”Economic Injury Level”

Economic Injury Level:Economic Injury Level: Cost of control = $ amount of damage caused by Cost of control = $ amount of damage caused by

the pestthe pest Includes amount of pest damageIncludes amount of pest damage Cost of each control practiceCost of each control practice

Are determined through extensive researchAre determined through extensive research

Economic Injury Level is the information that is Economic Injury Level is the information that is necessary to develop an Economic Threshold, necessary to develop an Economic Threshold, which is used by crop advisorswhich is used by crop advisors

Economic ThresholdEconomic Threshold

Pest Population at which a grower must Pest Population at which a grower must take action to prevent a pest populations take action to prevent a pest populations from reaching the economic injury levelfrom reaching the economic injury level

Economic threshold is slightly below the Economic threshold is slightly below the economic injury leveleconomic injury level

Pest populations must be increasingPest populations must be increasing

What IPM Is and Isn’tWhat IPM Is and Isn’t

Stresses a multi disciplinary approach to Stresses a multi disciplinary approach to pest managementpest management EntomologyEntomology Plant PathologyPlant Pathology NematologyNematology Weed ScienceWeed Science Crop Sciences (Horticulture/Agronomy)Crop Sciences (Horticulture/Agronomy) Soil ScienceSoil Science EcologyEcology

IPM is not staticIPM is not static

New PestsNew Pests Soybean aphids, bean leaf beetle, Soybean aphids, bean leaf beetle,

New Races/strains of pestsNew Races/strains of pests Western corn rootwormWestern corn rootworm

Weed Species shiftsWeed Species shifts Roundup ready technologyRoundup ready technology Tillage systemTillage system

Pesticide ResistancePesticide Resistance Colorado Potato BeetleColorado Potato Beetle Common lambsquartersCommon lambsquarters

Benefits of an IPM ProgramBenefits of an IPM Program

Protects environment through Protects environment through elimination of unnecessary pesticide elimination of unnecessary pesticide applicationsapplications

Improves ProfitabilityImproves Profitability Reduces risk of crop loss by a pestReduces risk of crop loss by a pest Increased knowledge of cropping Increased knowledge of cropping

systemsystem

Disadvantages of an IPM Disadvantages of an IPM ProgramProgram

Requires a higher degree of Requires a higher degree of management ($)management ($)

More labor intensive ($)More labor intensive ($) Success can be weather dependentSuccess can be weather dependent