Another issue is the use of pesticides which may otherwise be avoided given adequate monitoring. Monitoring also allows for the timely application of pesticides. Lastly the arrival of western flower thrips in Australia means attention needs to be given to integrating its control, where possible, with the biological control of two-spotted mites.
This manual is the ultimate guide to pest management for strawberries. Whether you’re a commercial grower or a home gardener, this manual is for you. Using this manual you’ll learn how to prevent and diagnose causes of damage; identify pests and key natural enemies; establish an IPM program for your field; manage problems related to irrigation, nutrition, and the growing environment; and determine when direct control actions are necessary. This revised manual also includes chapters on strawberry transplant production and managing pests in home garden strawberries.
Pests, Diseases, Disorders and Beneficials in Greenhouse Vegetables: Field Identification Guide The Field Identification Guide is designed to assist producers, workers, students and consultants to correctly identify pests, diseases, disorders and beneficials of greenhouse vegetable crops in Australia. Intended to be used as a tool in integrated pest management in greenhouse vegetables, it draws on the experience of a range of scientists and industry experts. The Field Identification Guide presents over 220 colour photographs in 135 pages of illustrations and text. It contains a comprehensive list of organisms and nutritional disorders identified as currently important to this industry. For more information on Integrated Pest Management refer to the book Keep It Clean, also published by NSW Department of Primary Industries. Includes a fully linked index of species.
[Truncated abstract] Integrated pest management (IPM) relies on the use of multiple tactics to reduce pest numbers below an economic threshold. One of the challenges for the implementation of IPM is using both insecticides and biological control. This is particularly difficult in horticultural crops where very little damage can be tolerated. Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a worldwide pest of economic importance associated with cultivated crops, ornamentals and weeds. It is considered a major pest of strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Rosaceae), and can be responsible for substantial yield loss. Insecticides are the main method of control for F. occidentalis in strawberry and other crops. Due to the rapid development of insecticide resistance and the limitations of existing biological control in Australia, there is a need to incorporate insecticides, natural enemies, and resistant host plants to keep the population below an economic threshold. This project sought to (i) evaluate commercial strawberry varieties for feeding and oviposition preferences of F. occidentalis, (ii) assess the compatibility of natural enemies with an insecticide currently used for F. occidentalis control in IPM programs, (iii) assess the effectiveness of the release of multiple species of natural enemies, (iv) determine the residual threshold of an insecticide which controls F. occidentalis effectively whilst having a reduced effect on natural enemies, and (v) assess the compatibility of natural enemies with an increased rate of an insecticide to manage an insecticide-resistant strain. Frankliniella occidentalis showed a distinctive olfactory preference in a choice trial evaluating the feeding preference of F. occidentalis to strawberry cultivars (Camarosa, Albion and Camino Real). Frankliniella occidentalis was attracted most to Camarosa for both feeding and oviposition, followed by Albion and Camino Real. Frankliniella occidentalis also preferred to feed on fresh leaves to those that had been fed upon by a conspecific. Of the three varieties tested, Camino Real was the least preferred cultivar for oviposition. The development period of F. occidentalis (from eggs to adult emergence) was shortest in Camarosa and longest in Camino Real. Overall, of the three varieties tested, Camarosa appeared the most favourable for F. iii occidentalis feeding, oviposition and population growth, and the other cultivars might be a better choice for growers seeking to reduce F. occidentalis populations...
