Pest management for spatially-variable arthropod pests in large-scale agroecosystems

Authors: BREWER, MICHAEL - Texas A&M University; UMINA, PAUL - University Of Melbourne; Elliott, Norman

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2024
Publication Date: 8/27/2024
Citation: Brewer, M.J., Umina, P.A., Elliott, N.C. 2024. Pest management for spatially-variable arthropod pests in large-scale agroecosystems. In: Brewer, M.J. Hein, G.L., editors. Arthropod Management and Landscape Considerations in Large-scale Agroecosystems. Boston, MA:CAB International. p. 27-43.

Interpretive Summary: A growing trend in managing spatially-variable pests is to recognize pest suppression innate to the system and supplement innate suppression using regional-based pest management tactics in context of agricultural and environmental conditions. This chapter presents the rationale of this agroecosystem-focused integrated pest management (AG-IPM) approach, its roots in integrated pest management (IPM), and its connections to areawide pest management and insecticide resistance management (IRM). Understanding sensitivity of interactions that drives pest suppression and affects spatial shifts in pest risk are basic principles of this approach that can lead to improved guidance when applying IPM and IRM practices regionally. Case examples are taken from the pest management literature to illustrate that favourable pest management and crop health outcomes become more likely using this approach in large-scale agroecosystems. Improving the outcomes of IPM and IRM more broadly by complementing innate pest suppression are operationally aims of AG-IPM.

Technical Abstract: In large-scale agroecosystems, a growing trend in managing spatially-variable pests is to recognize pest suppression innate to the system and supplement innate suppression using regional-based pest management tactics in context of agricultural and environmental conditions that influence pests. This chapter presents the rationale of agroecosystem-focused integrated pest management (AG-IPM), its roots in integrated pest management (IPM), and its connections to areawide pest management and insecticide resistance management (IRM) more broadly. Understanding sensitivity of trophic interactions that drives pest suppression and affects spatial shifts in pest risk are basic principles of this approach that can lead to improved guidance when applying IPM and IRM practices regionally. Spatially-variable features that influence pest ecology and crop sensitivity to pests include biotic and abiotic components of the agroecosystem inclusive of landscape structure (e.g., cropping and semi-natural habitat), natural enemies and other suppression agents, weather, and disturbances such as persistent drought and unusual pest intrusions). Case examples are taken from the pest management literature: (i) Diuraphia noxia, Russian wheat aphid, invading the North American wheat agroecosystem where resident aphid natural enemies provided spatially sensitive aphid suppression, and regional use of aphid-resistant wheat supported management where risk was high, (ii) the value and challenge of regional IRM as a way to minimize insecticide resistance risk in Myzus persicae, peach-potato aphid, in Australia, and (iii) suppression of aphids by coccinellids is common in large-scale field crops, is spatially and temporally variable, and may provide regional biological control to prevent economic crop injury. These examples illustrate that favorable pest management and crop health outcomes become more likely across variable conditions when approaching pest management in a scale, ecologically, and operationally appropriate manner. Improving the outcomes of IPM and IRM more broadly by complementing innate pest suppression are operational aims of AG-IPM.