Pest ManagementPest Management

Basics of Crop Basics of Crop ProductionProduction

Pest Control GoalsPest Control Goals

• PreventionPrevention- goal when pest presence or - goal when pest presence or

abundance can be predictedabundance can be predicted• SuppressionSuppression

- goal is to reduce pest - goal is to reduce pest population population to an acceptable to an acceptable levellevel

• EradicationEradication- rare goal, difficult to achieve, - rare goal, difficult to achieve, more common indoors more common indoors

and controlling foreign pests and controlling foreign pests

Types of PestsTypes of Pests

InsectsInsects MitesMites

BacteriaBacteria FungiFungi

VirusesViruses NematodesNematodes

WeedsWeeds WildlifeWildlife

ClimateClimate Man-madeMan-made

Pest IdentificationPest Identification

• As a producer, you need to be familiar As a producer, you need to be familiar with the pests that you are likely to with the pests that you are likely to encounter.encounter.

• You need to know:You need to know:

- the physical features of the - the physical features of the pestspests

- their development and biology- their development and biology

- characteristics of their damage- characteristics of their damage

- what your control goal is- what your control goal is

Parts of the Insect

You all know what the cricket looks and

sounds like.

Insects have six legs; let’s count them on this cricket.

1

23

5

6

44

This carpenter ant clearly shows the three body parts

of the insect.

Head

Thorax

Abdomen

How long have insects been here on Earth?

• Insects were here long before the Insects were here long before the dinosaurs, over 250 million years dinosaurs, over 250 million years ago.ago.

• Fossils of insects show many Fossils of insects show many different types of insects. Some different types of insects. Some can still be found today.can still be found today.

Fossil records show that this insect has been around a

long time. What is it?

Dragonfly Dragonfly

(some had wingspans of (some had wingspans of 3 ft.)3 ft.)

Complete Life Cycle

Larva and adult are different

Imported Cabbage Worm

• This is an example of a complete This is an example of a complete life cycle.life cycle.

• You have seen, and eaten this You have seen, and eaten this worm in broccoli, cabbage, and worm in broccoli, cabbage, and kale.kale.

Larvae Adult

This monarch butterfly shows the stages of its

life.

LarvaCaterpillar

Pupa

Adult

See the butterfly?

These insect larvae will make a silk nest in trees

in the spring.

Eastern Tent Eastern Tent CaterpillarCaterpillar

This insect is another web builder in our

trees.Fall WebwormFall Webworm

It builds its nests in late summer It builds its nests in late summer at the end of tree branches.at the end of tree branches.

NEST

This is a serious pest of our forests in the

region.Gypsy MothGypsy Moth

People often confuse the tent People often confuse the tent caterpillar with the gypsy moth. caterpillar with the gypsy moth. The gypsy moth doesn’t spin a silk The gypsy moth doesn’t spin a silk nest.nest.

Larva AdultEgg Mass

Incomplete Life Cycle

Nymph and adult look the same.

This insect has an incomplete

life cycle. What is it? GrasshopperGrasshopper

Have you seen this relative of this

grasshopper. What is it?

KatydidKatydid

It’s here!

These are some of the oldest insects in the world. What

are they?

CockroachesCockroaches

Talk about annoying, this insect is a real pest.

What is it?

MosquitoMosquito

They will suck blood from their They will suck blood from their victims andvictims and can carry diseases can carry diseases like West Nile Virus..like West Nile Virus..

Some of our more favorite insects are beneficial. What is the orange beetle below?

The ladybird beetle adult and The ladybird beetle adult and larvae will eat aphids, helping to larvae will eat aphids, helping to control this plant pest.control this plant pest.

Aphids Ladybird BeetleAdult

Ladybird BeetleLarva

Arachnids include spiders, ticks,

scorpions, and mites. Ticks suck blood from their Ticks suck blood from their

victims and can spread victims and can spread diseases such as Lyme diseases such as Lyme Disease.Disease.

Brown Dog TickBrown Dog Tick

Arachnids are differentfrom insects in that theyhave eight legs and two

body parts.

12

34

Head

Abdomen

6

7

5

8

These are our two problem ticks.

Deer TickDeer Tick Wood Wood TickTick

Mites are Arachnids too!

I’m sure that you recognize

this beautiful spider. Black Widow SpiderBlack Widow Spider

This is a very venomous spider This is a very venomous spider thatthat can inflict a very painful can inflict a very painful bite.bite.

Red Hourglass

Brown Recluse SpiderBrown Recluse Spider

They are found in the southern They are found in the southern states and are brought here when states and are brought here when items are moved or shipped north.items are moved or shipped north.

They are shy and reclusive, They are shy and reclusive, preferring closets and out-of-the-preferring closets and out-of-the-way places.way places.

This is the other dangerous spider besides the black

widow in the USA.

Insects can look scary, Insects can look scary, but most are harmless.but most are harmless.

Why Control Weeds?

• Some have been declared Some have been declared noxious weeds by the State. It’s noxious weeds by the State. It’s the law!the law!

• Weeds look bad, they reflect Weeds look bad, they reflect poorly on your managementpoorly on your management..

Why control weeds?

• Weeds reduce the desirable Weeds reduce the desirable plant population.plant population.

• Weeds reduce overall forage Weeds reduce overall forage quality and yield.quality and yield.

• Weeds reduce overall animal Weeds reduce overall animal yield.yield.

Poison Hemlock

Pokeweed

Jimsonweed

•

Johnsongrass

Canada Thistle

Broadleaf Plantain

Lambsquarter

Poison Ivy

Crabgrass

Disease is another pest management concern.

AlfalfaPhytophthora Root Rot

Disease

AlfalfaBacterial Wilt

Disease

AlfalfaAnthracnose

Disease

Southern Corn Leaf Blight

Disease

Northern CornLeaf BlightSouthern Leaf Blight

Disease

Diplodia Ear Rot

Disease

Corn Smut

Disease

WheatPowdery Mildew

Disease

WheatYellow Rust

Disease

WheatTake-all

                            

What are these snakes? They are scary looking, are they

dangerous?

Black Rat SnakesBlack Rat Snakes

They are non-venomous and are They are non-venomous and are good snakes to have around the good snakes to have around the farm.farm.

Baby Black Rat Snake

This is how snakes eat their food.

All snakes swallow their food All snakes swallow their food whole.whole.

There are no vegetarian snakes.There are no vegetarian snakes.

Excuse me, I can’t talk with my mouth full.

This is how you can tell the difference between venomous

and nonvenomous snakes.

RoundCat

Arrow

Rounder

Do you know this snake?Is it poisonous?

CopperheadCopperhead

Yes, it is venomous.Yes, it is venomous.

RatTail

Recognize this snake?Doesn’t it look a lot like the baby black

snake?

This is a baby copperhead. This is a baby copperhead.

Note the yellow tip on the tail.Note the yellow tip on the tail.

It is still venomous.It is still venomous.

Note the hour glass markings

Baby Black Rat Snake

These snakes are rare, but can be found in this area,

what are they?

Timber RattlesnakesTimber Rattlesnakes

Yes, they are very venomous Yes, they are very venomous and are and are considered to be the considered to be the most dangerousmost dangerous snakes around snakes around

here.here.

Methods of ControlMethods of Control

• Natural ControlNatural Control

ClimateClimate

Natural enemiesNatural enemies

Geographic barriersGeographic barriers

Food and water Food and water supplysupply

ShelterShelter

Methods of ControlMethods of Control

• Applied ControlsApplied ControlsResistant varietiesResistant varietiesBiological controlBiological controlCultural controlCultural controlMechanical controlMechanical controlSanitationSanitationChemical controlChemical control

• An integrated system uses An integrated system uses components of all of these applied components of all of these applied controlscontrols

The ThresholdThe Threshold

• Level of pest populations at which you Level of pest populations at which you should take pest control action to should take pest control action to prevent unacceptable injury.prevent unacceptable injury.

• A threshold may be based on A threshold may be based on aesthetic, health, or economic aesthetic, health, or economic considerations.considerations.

• A threshold often is set at the level at A threshold often is set at the level at which the economic losses from the which the economic losses from the pest damage is greater than the cost pest damage is greater than the cost of control.of control.

Potato Leafhopper Potato Leafhopper Threshold on AlfalfaThreshold on Alfalfa

Average stem heightAverage stem height #hoppers/100#hoppers/100

(inches)(inches) sweeps sweeps

______________________________________ __________________________

<3<3 2020

4-64-6 5050

7-107-10 100100

11-1411-14 200200

Pest Monitoring Pest Monitoring QuestionsQuestions

• What kinds of pests are present?What kinds of pests are present?• Are the numbers great enough Are the numbers great enough

to warrant control?to warrant control?• When is the right time to begin When is the right time to begin

control?control?• Have the control efforts Have the control efforts

successfully reduced the number successfully reduced the number of pests?of pests?

Organic & Low-input Organic & Low-input Systems Rely on:Systems Rely on:

• Sanitation Sanitation - habitat, - habitat, over-wintering sitesover-wintering sites

• Eliminating, or managing nearby Eliminating, or managing nearby weeds that host pestsweeds that host pests

• Rotations for fertility & to Rotations for fertility & to deprive pests of a suitable hostdeprive pests of a suitable host

• Maintain proper plant nutritionMaintain proper plant nutrition

Organic & Low-input Organic & Low-input Systems Rely on:Systems Rely on:

• Building and maintaining soil Building and maintaining soil organic matter, which improves organic matter, which improves drainage and water-holding capacitydrainage and water-holding capacity

**Soil organic matter helps to Soil organic matter helps to support support populations of populations of microorganisms microorganisms which feed on which feed on disease organisms disease organisms and and nematodes.nematodes.

• Encouraging indigenous beneficialsEncouraging indigenous beneficials

Organic & Low-input Organic & Low-input Systems Rely on:Systems Rely on:

• Importing in predators and Importing in predators and parasitesparasites

• Physical controls, such as Physical controls, such as flaming and row coversflaming and row covers

• Cultural controls, such as Cultural controls, such as delayed planting, early delayed planting, early harvesting, pruning, or mulchingharvesting, pruning, or mulching

• Use of selected pesticidesUse of selected pesticides

Insect ManagementInsect ManagementOrganically ApprovedOrganically Approved

• SoapsSoaps• OilsOils• RotenoneRotenone• B.T. (B.T. (Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis))• PyrethrumsPyrethrums• TrapsTraps• PheromonesPheromones• RepellentsRepellents• Two blocks of woodTwo blocks of wood

                                                                  

Disease PreventionDisease Prevention

• Many factors are involvedMany factors are involved

- environmental management- environmental management

- crop rotation- crop rotation

- sanitation- sanitation

- good plant nutrition- good plant nutrition

- soil health- soil health * organic * organic matter, drainage, tilthmatter, drainage, tilth

- resistant varieties, seed treatment- resistant varieties, seed treatment

- cultural techniques- cultural techniques

Minerals forMinerals forDisease ControlDisease Control

• CopperCopper - blights, downy mildew, - blights, downy mildew, black black rots, anthracnoserots, anthracnose

• SulfurSulfur - scab, powdery mildew, - scab, powdery mildew, brown rot, brown rot, on strawberries, on strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, grapes, tomatoes, potatoes, potatoes, field crops, tree fruitsfield crops, tree fruits

• Lime-sulfurLime-sulfur - scales, mildews, - scales, mildews, anthracnose, anthracnose, brown rot on fruit brown rot on fruit treestrees

Minerals for Minerals for Disease ControlDisease Control

• Bordeaux mixBordeaux mix(copper sulfate)(copper sulfate)

- anthracnose, mildews, blights, - anthracnose, mildews, blights, black rots on small fruits, black rots on small fruits,

flowers, flowers, shade treesshade trees• Liquid copper-sulfurLiquid copper-sulfur

- blights, mildews, leaf rust, - blights, mildews, leaf rust, black black rot, anthracnose on rot, anthracnose on vegetables and vegetables and fireblight on fireblight on pearspears

Natural Sprays forNatural Sprays forDisease ControlDisease Control

• Fermented nettle tea (preventative)Fermented nettle tea (preventative)• Equisetum tea (root dip, foliar spray)Equisetum tea (root dip, foliar spray)• Chamomile tea (seed soak)Chamomile tea (seed soak)• Liquid seaweed (seed & root soak)Liquid seaweed (seed & root soak)• Watery compost extract Watery compost extract

(preventative)(preventative) - compost in soils and - compost in soils and starting starting media can prevent some media can prevent some diseasesdiseases

Managing WeedsManaging Weeds

• Organic & low-input systems rely Organic & low-input systems rely on:on:

- cultivation- cultivation

- giving the crop a head start- giving the crop a head start

- mulches- mulches

- smother crops (cover crop)- smother crops (cover crop)

- companion crop- companion crop

- mowing- mowing

Managing WeedsManaging Weeds

• Organic & low-input systems Organic & low-input systems rely on:rely on:

- flaming- flaming

- solarization- solarization

- allelopathy- allelopathy

- biological controls- biological controls

- chemical controls- chemical controls

Preventing WeedsPreventing Weeds

• Simplest & most effective approachSimplest & most effective approach

* sanitation is essential* sanitation is essential

* check transplant root balls* check transplant root balls

* wipe soil tilling implements clean* wipe soil tilling implements clean

* keep field perimeters mowed* keep field perimeters mowed

* * do not let weeds go to seeddo not let weeds go to seed- this includes cover crops- this includes cover crops

Types of MulchTypes of Mulch

• Plant residuesPlant residues - leaves, - leaves, grass clippings, straw, hay, grass clippings, straw, hay, sawdust, compostsawdust, compost

• Living mulchesLiving mulches - low-- low-growing legumes, rye, growing legumes, rye, ryegrass, ryegrass, oatsoats

• Man-made materialsMan-made materials - thin plastic - thin plastic sheets (in colors), sheets (in colors), woven woven materials, Mylar, newspapermaterials, Mylar, newspaper

PesticidesPesticides

““Any chemical used to control Any chemical used to control pests”pests”

• TypesTypes

insecticidesinsecticides

fungicidesfungicides

herbicidesherbicides

rodenticidesrodenticides

miticidesmiticides

PesticidesPesticides

• Formulation examples include:Formulation examples include:

granulesgranules

wettable powderswettable powders

dustsdusts

dry flowablesdry flowables

aerosolsaerosols

fumigantsfumigants

PesticidesPesticides

• ClassificationsClassifications

CautionCaution (least toxic)(least toxic)

Warning Warning (moderately (moderately toxic)toxic)

Danger, Danger-PoisonDanger, Danger-Poison(highly (highly

toxic)toxic)

PesticidesPesticides

Pesticides are also classified into two Pesticides are also classified into two other categories:other categories:

• Restricted UseRestricted Use

- hazardous to humans or environment- hazardous to humans or environment

- requires Private Applicator License- requires Private Applicator License• General UseGeneral Use

- anyone can purchase and use these - anyone can purchase and use these productsproducts

Pesticide Modes of Pesticide Modes of ActionAction

• InsecticidesInsecticides

stomach poisonstomach poison

systemicsystemic

contactcontact

broad spectrumbroad spectrum

selectiveselective• FungicidesFungicides

contactcontact

systemicsystemic

Pesticide Modes of Pesticide Modes of ActionAction

• HerbicidesHerbicides

contactcontact

systemicsystemic

selectiveselective

non-selectivenon-selective• Herbicide application methodsHerbicide application methods

pre-plantpre-plant

pre-emergencepre-emergence

post-emergencepost-emergence

Steps to Selecting a Steps to Selecting a PesticidePesticide

1) Identify the pest1) Identify the pest2) Try cultural, non-chemical 2) Try cultural, non-chemical

alternativesalternatives3) Review economic 3) Review economic

considerationsconsiderations- threshold level of the pest- threshold level of the pest- what is the effectiveness of - what is the effectiveness of

the the recommended pesticidesrecommended pesticides- expense (material, labor)- expense (material, labor)

Steps to Selecting a Steps to Selecting a PesticidePesticide

4) Select the pesticide4) Select the pesticide- crop and pest must be on the - crop and pest must be on the

labellabel- least toxic to man & environment- least toxic to man & environment- compatibility (mixing materials?)- compatibility (mixing materials?)- Selectivity- Selectivity- Residual- Residual* length of control, reentry, * length of control, reentry,

and days to harvest and days to harvest

Factors Affecting Factors Affecting PesticidePesticide

Application RateApplication Rate• Soil typeSoil type

- heavy soils require higher rate- heavy soils require higher rate• Percent of organic matterPercent of organic matter

- higher O.M. %, higher rate- higher O.M. %, higher rate• Maturity of cropMaturity of crop

- more plant material, higher rate- more plant material, higher rate• Maturity of pestMaturity of pest

- bigger pest, higher rate- bigger pest, higher rate• Pest Population Pest Population

- more bugs, more pesticide is - more bugs, more pesticide is neededneeded

Effective Effective Pesticide ApplicationPesticide Application

““Timing is everything, regularly walk Timing is everything, regularly walk your fields”your fields”

• Note pest’s stage of developmentNote pest’s stage of development• Use appropriate labeled amount of Use appropriate labeled amount of

pesticidepesticide• Unless otherwise noted on the label, Unless otherwise noted on the label,

use an adjuvantuse an adjuvant• Evaluate weather current & forecastEvaluate weather current & forecast• Alternate pesticide chemistryAlternate pesticide chemistry

Thank YouThank You

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