Integrated Pest Management

Melissa GravesPlant ID Diagnostician Schutter Diagnostic Lab

Integrated Pest Management

• What is IPM?• Components of an effective IPM program• Advantages of using IPM• Challenges of implementing IPM• New resources available for IPM

What Is IPM?

• An effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management based on current, comprehensive information regarding pest life cycles and their interaction with the environment.

• Used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

4-Tiered Approach to IPM

• Set action thresholds

• Monitor and identify potential pests

• Prevention

• Control

Management Plan

• Selection of plants

• Nutrient management

• Pest management

• Possible control techniques

• Review and update

Know Your Action Threshold

• What is the “action threshold” Pest density at which control measures

should be implemented to prevent economic loss from occuring

• What is the economic injury limit? The point when the economic benefit of treatment is greater than the cost

Determining Action Threshold

Monitoring

Pest Identification

• Why is it important?

– Accurate diagnosis of problems

– Appropriate management plans or policies

– Correct treatment measures

Possible Pest Problem?

Beneficial Insects

Photo courtesy of Dan Papacek

Photo courtesy of Dan Papacek

Invasive Plants

Yellow Starthistle• Annual• Single yellow flower per

branch• ¾ -1 inch spines radiating

from flower bracts• Grayish-green foliage• “Winged” stem

Photos by Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Invasive Plants

White Bryony• Vine• Small yellow-green or

yellow-white flowers • Pea-sized black berries• Dark green, palmately lobed

leaves• Single curling tendril at each

leaf node

Invasive Plants

Bohemian Knotweed• Shrub• Small white flowers• Hollow, cane-like stems• Heart or spade shaped

leaves• Short, broad based

(triangular) hairs on underside of leaves

How to Act?

Management Techniques

• Cultural •crop rotation•pest resistant varieties•pest-free rootstock•eliminating “pest homes”

• Biological •beneficial insects•grazing•use of pheromones

Management Techniques

• Chemical •pesticides•herbicides•fungicides

• Mechanical •mowing•tilling

IPM Techniques

IPM Advantages

• Slows development of pesticide resistance

• Reduces risk to spray operators and the environment

• Step towards sustainability• Proactive• Site-specific• Business opportunity in

scouting/monitoring

Challenges of IPM Implementation

• More complex than control by chemicals alone

• Requires understanding of pest and beneficial species interactions

• Knowledge of management options

Available Resources

Using Technology in IPM

Using Technology in IPM

Using Technology in IPM

Additional Training

• IPM Training– Live workshops– Webinars (internet-based seminars)

offered through the Schutter Diagnostic Lab and the National Plant Diagnostic Network (www.npdn.org)

– Existing Pesticide Applicator Training programs from MSU and the MDOA

– Urban IPM certification through MSU– First detector training through MSU

Urban IPM Program Objectives• Establish an IPM certification program for urban

landscape and turf professionals• Develop resources for IPM in the urban

landscape, specific to Montana• Train you to be First Detectors for invasive pests• Educate homeowners/consumers in

the basic principles of IPM

Urban IPM Workshop

Additional Online Resources

• Bugwood Network (http://wiki.bugwood.org/Main_Page)• High Plains IPM (http://wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Main_Page)• Montana Extension (http:/www.msuextension.org)• eXtension (http://extension.org)• Invaders Database (http://invader.dbs.umt.edu)• Great Plains Diagnostic Network (http://www.gpdn.org)• National Plant Diagnostic Network (http:www.npdn.org)• Schutter Diagnostic Lab (http://diagnostics.montana.edu)