Development of Integrated Pest Management Strategies in Floricultural Crops

Abstract

Development of integrated pest management strategies in floriculture has lagged far behind the development of strategies in other agricultural crops. Shorr-term solutions to immediate arthropod pest problems through application of the appropriate pesticides has been, and continues to be, a major focus of research programs in floricultural entomology. Few studies have been completed on development of statistically valid sampling plans, management of insecticide resistance, phenological monitoring of arthropod pests, evaluation and release of natural enemies, and other strategies designed to increase efficiency of chemicals if they are needed. We discuss possible reasons for the lack of research in these areas and outline the development of pest management strategies for chrysanthemums to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach in floriculture. T HE UNITED STATES is the largest producer of cut flowers in the world, with sales in excess of $2 billion in 1981. The majority of production occurs in ca. 8,000 ha of greenhouses; Cali-fornia and Florida are the leading production areas (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1985). Despite its importance nationwide, there is little information on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for floricul-tural crops. A review of recent literature reveals a scarcity of ongoing research programs directed toward the development of IPM strategies for floricultural crops. This is surprising, considering that the "era of IPM" began in 1976 (Metcalf 1980) and the major focus of many research programs was the development of IPM strategies in different cropping systems. M. P. Parrella is affiliated with the