Introduction
Arthropod management practices in California cotton production involve the use of various insecticides and acaricides for protection of yield and quality. Cotton aphid control relies mainly on the neonicotinoid insecticides but organophosphate and carbamate insecticides are also used. Spider mite control relies on acaricides and the chemical types used for both cotton aphids and mites are important for resistance management considerations due to their mode of…
Introduction:
Integrated pest management is an accepted tool in dealing with cotton pests. Insecticidal control of the key cotton arthropod pests in California is a major component ofour cotton IPM programs. Are insecticides the only answer and a long-term solution? No, for several reasons. First, insecticides must be compatible with biological control; this natural control is very important in California cotton. Studies should be conducted…
The goals of our research are to examine the role that naturally-occurring predators play in controlling spider mites and determine if predatory mite releases can improve spider mite control. During 1996 & 1997, we performed large-scale releases of the western predatory mite using low release rates and found that releases did not increase predatory mite numbers and did not improve spider mite control. Thus,we have attempted to identify factors that could be limiting predatory mites in hope that we can improve spider mite biological control. During 1998 & 1999, we completed four experiments…
Report of Progress
University of California, Agricultural Experiment Station Project Number: CA-D*-Ent-3003-H
Thomas F. Leigh, Entomologist Report Period: 1/1/90-12/31/90
OBJECTIVES: Ascertain the efficacy of predatory mites as managed biological control agents against spider mites on cotton and strategies for their utilization.
Evaluate the relationship of alfalfa management systems to lygus bug infestation development and to utilization of alfalfa as a biological control agent preserve.
Assess cotton cultivar relationship (plant resistance) to cotton pest infestation development and pest impact on plant development and fruiting.
Evaluate cotton cultivar relationship to pesticide resistance in greenhouse whitefly
PROCEDURES: Predacious Mite Studies. Predatory mites obtained from a commercial insectary were distributed…