This book explores ecologically sound and innovative techniques in insect pest management in field and protected crops. From a general overview of pest management to new biorational insecticides such as insect growth regulators, and new strategies to reduce resistance, the coverage is entirely up-to-date. Other chapters describe advances in pest management of important crops such as cotton, corn, oilseed rape and various vegetables.

Oilseed rape is a major arable crop in both Europe and North America. It is attacked by unique complexes of insect pests still largely controlled through the application of chemical insecticides. Crop management systems for the future must combine sustainability with environmental acceptability to satisfy both social and economic demands. This book, in its 17 chapters each led by a world expert, reviews research progress towards developing integrated pest management systems for the crop that enhance conservation biocontrol. This approach is particularly timely because of the development in Europe of insecticide resistance in the pollen beetle, a major pest of the crop. The past decade has seen considerable progress in our knowledge of the parasitoids and predators that contribute to biocontrol, of their distribution patterns, and their behavioural ecology, both within and without the crop. There is potential for natural enemy conservation through modification of within-field crop husbandry practices, as well as, on the landscape scale, through habitat manipulation to encourage vegetational diversity. This book will prove invaluable as a text for researchers, university teachers, graduate scientists, extension workers and growers involved in integrated pest management.

Oilseed rape, a major crop in many parts of the world, is attackedby a wide range of insect pests, many of which are of considerableeconomic importance. With the increasing demand to reduceagrochemical inputs on arable crops, the Commission of the EuropeanCommunities supported a three-year programme in which scientificparticipants reviewed the natural enemies of oilseed rape insectpests. The various outputs from this important work form the basisof this comprehensive new book. Biocontrol of Oilseed Rape Pests commences with a reviewof the oilseed rape crop, followed by chapters on pests, pestmanagement strategies and parasitoids of specific pests or groupsof pests. Detailed information is also included on sampling,trapping and rearing pests, their parasitoids and predators; theidentification of hymenopterous parasitoids; pathogens of oilseedrape pests, predators, predator taxonomy and identification, andthe impact of on-farm landscape structures and systems onpredators. This book is an essential purchase for all those involved withoilseed rape and for anyone with an interest in agriculturalbiocontrol strategies. It is also essential reading and aninvaluable source of reference for agricultural scientists,entomologists, crop protection specialists, advisers andconsultants. All agrochemical companies should have multiple copiesof this book on their shelves, as should all libraries inuniversities and research establishments where biological andagricultural sciences are studied and taught. Dr David V. Alford, based in Cambridge, UK, has manyyears of experience working as a government entomologist.

This volume is a comprehensive treatment of how the principles of ecology and conservation biology can be used to maximize biological control. Conservation Biological Control presents various means to modify or manipulate the environment to enhance the activities of natural enemies of pests. It establishes a conceptual link between ecology and the agricultural use of agents for biological control, and discusses both theoretical issues as well as practical management concerns. Certain to be interesting to ecologists and entomologists, this volume will also appeal to scientists, faculty, researchers and students interested in pest management, horticulture, plant sciences, and agriculture. - Contains chapters by an international team of leading authorities - Establishes a conceptual link between ecology and the agricultural use of agents for biological control - Discusses both theoretical issues as well as practical management concerns - Provides specific examples of how conservation principles are used to maximize the biological control of pests

This Colour Handbook reviews the natural predators, parasites and pathogens used to control pest populations and analyses their characteristics and practical applications. It is designed to enable the reader to anticipate, recognise and resolve specific problems of pest management. Intended as a concise accessible reference to the field, this book will be of interest to a broad spectrum of academic, professional and lay readers; the growers and the consultants advising them, students in horticulture and crop science and scientists in a broad range of related disciplines. ∗ Superb, detailed colour photographs and line drawings of predator, parasite and pest species. ∗ Accessible, practical format. ∗ Covers all the major commercial planting environments; Arable, Orchard, Glasshouse and Ornamental (parks and gardens). ∗ Unique world wide coverage. ∗ Comperhensively corss–referenced by crop, pest, and pest control species (parasites and predators).

Mollusc species currently constitute a major threat to sustainable agriculture. This threat is associated with cultivation of new crops, intensification of agricultural production systems and the spread through human trade and travel of species adapted to these modified environments. In some crops their significance is only now becoming apparent with the decline in the importance of other pest groups which can be effectively controlled. The book focuses on: toxicology of chemicals; deployment of molluscicides in baits; specific crop situations worldwide; current pest status of mollusc species and progress towards development of solutions.

This book reviews interagency research and development of classical (importation) biological control of Bemisia tabaci (biotype B) conducted in the USA from 1992- 2002. The successful discovery, evaluation, release, and establishment of at least five exotic B. tabaci natural enemies in rapid response to the devastating infestations in the USA represents a landmark in interagency cooperation and coordination of multiple disciplines. The review covers all key aspects of the classical biocontrol program, beginning with foreign exploration and quarantine culture, through dev- opment of mass rearing methodology, laboratory and field evaluation for efficacy, to field releases, integration with other management approaches, and monitoring for establishment and potential non-target impacts. The importance of morphological and molecular taxonomy to the success of the program is also emphasized. The book’s contributors include 28 USDA, state department of agriculture, and univ- sity scientists who participated in various aspects of the project. Bemisia tabaci continues to be a pest of major concern in many parts of the world, especially since the recent spread of the Q biotype, so the publication of a review of the biological control program for the B biotype is especially timely. We anticipate that our review of the natural enemies that were evaluated and which have established in the USA will benefit researchers and IPM practitioners in other nations affected by B. tabaci.