INSECT MANAGEMENT FOR FIELD CROPS: IPM TACTIC EVALUATION, AREA-WIDE APPROACHES, AND BENEFICIAL INSECT CONSERVATION

Three broad objectives have been identified that are applicable to current and invasive insect management issues facing the major fiber and grain crops of South Texas and are consistent with regional and national goals in integrated pest management:Develop integrated pest management tactics, focusing on those of special interest to large-acreage systems, based on understanding of plant - pest insect - natural enemy interactions. Link findings with technology transfer strategies (outreach linkage).Contribute to area-wide approaches to insect management by evaluating insect and plant responses to current and changing crop management systems, landscapes, and associated environmental stressors (abiotic and biotic) and by linking activities to risk assessment systems (ecological modeling linkage).Delineate IPM benefits to beneficial insect conservation including natural enemies of pest insects and insect pollinators, which in turn may provide benefits to crop protection.