Beetles beware!

Pest control is probably the single most important factor in maintaining yield in modern farming practice. Pest problems may arise from any number of reasons, such as the adoption of a new farming technique, irrigation, cultivation of a new crop or even insecticide resistance or secondary pest outbreaks. The fact that crops come under attack from so many different types of pest is an additional problem that farmers and pest management specialists have to cope with. Insect pest management focuses on dealing with insects only, but still recognizes that this is one of many groups of pests that have to be controlled. The book starts with an introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), looking at social and economic factors, as well as research, monitoring and forecasting, yield loss assessment and all forms of control. There is detailed information about a range of insecticides, methods of application, economic viability, ease of use, targeting and safety. Cultural controls which need no external input, such as crop rotation, tillage practices and planting date, are examined in detail and shown to be worthwhile practices, so long as they are executed correctly and not relied on too heavily as the sole means of pest control. There are chapters on host plant resistance, natural enemies and classical biological control interference methods and quarantine. The final part of the book examines how these techniques can be integrated into an insect pest management programme. Designed to serve as a textbook, this book provides in-depth coverage of crop protection and applied entomology. Emphasis is placed throughout on the need for socio-economic evaluation of integrated pest management techniques, and detailed examples are taken from both temperate and tropical regions. Insect pest management by David Dent 1991 604pp ISBN 0 85198 66 8 hbk ISBN 0 85198 667 6 pbk CAB Intemational, Wallingford Oxon OX10 8DE, UK