Special Issue "Pest Control and Management"

Guest Editor
Dr. Timothy J. Gibb
Purdue University, College of Agriculture, Department of Entomology, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1158, USA
E-Mail: Gibb@purdue.edu
Phone: +1 765 494 4570
Interests: integrated pest management; turfgrass pest management; insect diagnostics; urban entomology; forensics; vertebrate pest management

Dear Colleagues,

The need for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in urban systems is at an all time high. Public demands to decrease human exposure to toxicants of all kinds continue to increase while expectations of pest management remain high. When compared to agricultural crop production IPM, Urban IPM research is complicated because it must account for a 'human factor" composed of qualitative aspects such as aesthetics, comfort, health and peace of mind.
These considerations, in many ways, substitute for the quantitative
economics involved in agricultural decision making.  However, because many of the qualifying aspects of urban IPM are subjective, they cannot be easily measured. This subjectivity represents a major challenge to researchers who must recognize social concerns as the driving factor of IPM. Public attitudes, perceptions, and prejudices regarding pests and pesticides and their effect on human activities and the environment must be included.
This special issue of Insects will highlight the complexity of urban IPM
research, while recognizing that the need for it is paramount.

Dr. Timothy J. Gibb
Guest Editor

Submission

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• urban integrated pest management
• structural, turfgrass
• landscape
• health insect pests
• diagnostics
• urban entomology
• forensics

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Optimal timing and efficacy of selected insecticides for cabbage maggot (Delia radicum L., Diptera: Anthomiidae) control
Authors: Bažok, R., Ceranić-Sertić, M., Kozina A., Kos, T. Lemić, D. Čačija, M.
Affiliation: Department for Agricultural Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture Zagreb, University of Zagreb; E-Mail: rbazok@agr.hr
Abstract: A four-year investigation was carried out in cabbage fields in the mountainous part of Croatia to establish the possible use of yellow sticky traps (YST) and degree day accumulations as prediction tools for cabbage maggot control and to establish the efficacy of different insecticides applied by dipping the seedlings before planting or by spraying already established plants. The flight dynamics were followed weekly with the use of YST (Bio Plantella). Climatic data on the mean average daily temperatures and on daily amount of rainfall were collected from the nearest meteorological station. Degree-day accumulations, beginning 1 January each year, were calculated by the using the lower developmental threshold of 4.3˚C. In field trials, the efficacy of five insecticides applied as preventive treatment before transplanting or as foliar application by spraying was established. Cumulative capture of the flies on the YST is positively correlated with the degree day accumulation. Spraying with insecticides should be applied when the cumulative capture of flies reaches 100 flies/yellow sticky trap and when accumulated heat units are 400°C. If only one reaches the threshold, additional visual survey should be employed to establish the number of eggs /plant. The efficacy of the dipping of seedlings in insecticide solutions depends on both, the insecticide applied and on the rainfall dynamics and quantity. Insecticides thiamethoxam and dimethoate have shown good results if applied by this method. If insecticides are used by spraying the plants, the key factor of success is proper application timing and the use of high quantity of water. Insecticides tiamthoxam and imidacloprid have shown good results if applied by spraying.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: An Overview of the Components of AW-IPM Campaigns against the New World Screwworm
Authors: Thiago Mastrangelo ¹ and John B. Welch ²
Affiliations: ¹ Universidade de São Paulo / Avenida Centenário 303, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil; E-Mail: thiagomastrangelo@gmail.com
² USDA-APHIS Screwworm Eradication Program / 9100 Panama Place, Washington, D.C. 20521, USA; E-Mail: John.B.Welch@aphis.usda.gov
Abstract: The New World Screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is one of the most damaging parasites of livestock, causing millions of dollars in annual losses to producers. The fly is an obligate parasite of warm blooded animals, including humans. After a successful 45-year eradication campaign, C. hominivorax has been eradicated from the USA and Central America by an area-wide integrated pest management approach. Recently, Caribbean and South American countries expressed interest for this approach. Aiming to support forthcoming projects in these countries, this review describes the main technical components of past and ongoing AW-IPM campaigns against C. hominivorax.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Microencapsulated Spodoptera frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus: Insecticidal activity and effect over arthropods in maize
Authors: Juliana Gómez ¹, Judith Guevara ², Paola Cuartas ¹, Carlos Espinel ¹ and Laura Villamizar ¹
Affiliation: ¹ Biological Control Laboratory, Center of Biotechnology and Bioindustry, Colombian Corporation of Agricultural Research CORPOICA, Colombia; E-Mail: cespinel@corpoica.org.co
² Center of Research La Libertad, Colombian Corporation of Agricultural Research CORPOICA, Colombia
Abstract: Chemical insecticides used for controlling Spodoptera frugiperda in maize crops in Colombia have resulted in pest resistance and environmental contamination. A Colombian multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) was produced in laboratory reared larvae and formulated as a wettable powder by microencapsulating the viral particles with a methacrylic acid polymer. Then, microencapsulated virus was tested for insecticidal activity in a laboratory, greenhouse and field bioassays, and was then applied in a commercial crop where its effect over arthropods population in the field was estimated. Biopesticide efficacy under laboratory bioassay was 97.7% and the percentage of plants showing recent feeding damage fell dramatically in the greenhouse when viral formulation was applied. In two field trials, the highest dose of 1500 g/ha (1.5 x 1012OB/ha) was selected as the recommended rate for field application in maize crops obtaining efficacies higher than 70%. Arthropods population was negatively affected by chemical pesticides while biopesticide did not affect the abundance and diversity of these organisms. The obtained data indicate that microencapsulated SfMNPV has an interesting potential to be registered and commercialized in order to substitute chemical insecticides in armyworm integrated management programmes.