Greenhouse & High Tunnel IPM
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a way to manage arthropod pests and diseases by combining several complimentary strategies such as sanitation, nutrient monitoring, pest detection, incorporation of biological controls and habitat manipulation. Least toxic chemical pesticides may be used, but only when necessary. Much of the research I have been involved with focuses on scouting methodology for pests and their natural enemies, plant-mediated strategies for managing pests through the conservation of natural enemies (i.e., trap, banker, habitat and guardian plants) and development and testing of novel fungus-based biopesticides.
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Aphid banker plants use a non-pest aphid to sustain the parasitic wasp (Aphidius colemani) that attacks green-peach and melon aphids which affect crop quality.
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Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) are one of the most challenging pests to manage in greenhouses. They are susceptible to several fungal biopesticides and are attacked by an array of natural enemies available for purchase through biological control suppliers.
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A marigold ‘guardian plant’ pulls western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) from non-flowering crop plants. Thrips can be managed here using predatory mites (Neoseiulus cucumeris) or by other means.
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Releasing predatory mites onto crops for thrips and mites (that are pests) early in the season before pests build up is a key to successful biological control programs.
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Aphid mummies are aphids that have been parasitized by a parasitic wasp that turn in to a case as the wasp develops into an adult.
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Potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) ravaging the new growth of a greenhouse-grown tomato plant.
