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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315542
Title: IPM of specialty crops and community gardens in north Florida

Author
item HASEEB, MUHAMMAD - Florida A & M University
item GORDON, TAVIA - Florida A & M University
item UMAR, GOHAR - Florida A & M University
item HARMON, DASIA - Florida A & M University
item PARET, MATHEWS - Florida A & M University
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item BOLQUES, ALEJANDRO - Florida A & M University
item KANGA, LAMBERT - Florida A & M University
item PHILS, BOBBY - Florida A & M University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2015
Publication Date: 4/13/2015
Citation: Haseeb, M., Gordon, T., Umar, G., Harmon, D., Paret, M., Legaspi, J.C., Bolques, A., Kanga, L., Phils, B. 2015. IPM of specialty crops and community gardens in north Florida [abstract]. Proceedings of the 8th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, 23-26 March 2015.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Insect pests post serious challenges to specialty crops (vegetables, fruits and nut crops) and community gardens in North Florida. The major vegetable pests include silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii; the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae; southeastern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula; brown stink bug, Euschistus servus; potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae; leaf footed bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus; western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis; melon thrips, Thrips palmi; eastern flower thrips, Frankliniella tritici; Florida flower thrips, Frankliniella bispinosa; tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca; southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania; beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua; yellowstriped armyworm, Spodoptera ornithogalli; pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii; kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria; squash bug, Anasa tristis; Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata; leafminer; Liriomyza sativae, L. trifolii; tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella; and tomato fruit worm, Helicoverpa zea. Insect pests that carry disease and considered most serious included thrips and whiteflies. To provide necessary skills and hands-on training to stakeholders and clienteles, Florida A&M University initiated an extension IPM project in 2010 to implement IPM strategies in specialty crops and community gardens. The target strategies include regular scouting or monitoring for pest problems, identifying pests & beneficial species, and their life stages, keeping good records of pests, use of proven best management practices, use of plant-mediated pest management, practicing good sanitation, conservation of biological controls agents, and application of minimum use of selective pesticides if needed. Indeed, by adopting IPM strategies, participating growers in the target counties were able to produce various crops successfully. Also, undergraduate and graduate students have obtained training on crop production and protection.