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Ec95-1560 Use Of Cultural Practices In Crop Insect Pest Management, Robert J. Wright

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This Extension Circular reviews what is known about the effects of rotations, tillage practices, and planting and harvest dates on crop insect management, focusing on major crops in Nebraska.

Before the development of synthetic organic insecticides (pre-DDT era), rotations, tillage practices, planting and harvest dates, and other nonchemical cultural controls were commonly recommended for insect management. Research focused on crop rotation and other cultural practices for insect management. With the development of DDT and later insecticides however, research on nonchemical controls decreased markedly.

With the emergence of the concept of sustainable agriculture in the 1980s, there has been increased emphasis …

G95-1251 Biological Control Of Insect And Mite Pests, Robert J. Wright

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The advantages and disadvantages of the three forms of biological control of insect and mite pests -- classical, augmentation and conservation -- are discussed.

Biological control is the conscious use of living beneficial organisms, called natural enemies, to control pests. Biological control should be an important part of any integrated pest management program, an approach which combines a variety of pest control methods to reduce pest levels below an economic threshold. Virtually all insect and mite pests have some natural enemies. Managing these natural enemies can effectively control many pests. Often the use of insecticides or other practices can injure …