School Landscape IPM: Insect Pests. Mark H. Shour Extension Entomology Iowa State University

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1 School Landscape IPM: Insect Pests Mark H. Shour Extension Entomology Iowa State University

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4 Natural vs. human-designed Each landscape is a unique mini-ecosystem of abiotic and biotic factors Natural landscapes are self- sustaining, diverse, and resilient

5 Natural vs. human-designed Human-designed landscapes are dependent and simplistic Are at a greater risk for fluctuations in pest problems

6 When faced with a pest Ignore it Tolerate it Nuke it Manage it

7 What is IPM? A decision-making tool using cultural, physical, biological, & chemical pest management strategies to prevent damaging pest outbreaks while reducing the risks to human health & the environment

8 Why use IPM? Improve quality of plant care Minimize pesticide use Identify most important pests Focus management efforts

9 Landscape IPM components Key plants Key pests Decision levels Monitoring Record keeping Management strategies Evaluation

10 Key plants - slide #1 Plants that provide aesthetic or functional attributes to the landscape Hedge on edge of playground Shade trees on south side of building Focal point at main entrance

11 Key plants - slide #2 Pest-prone plants or plants routinely under stress Turfgrasses Crabapple trees Euonymus groundcover

12 Map target areas, incl. abiotic items Develop species codes # each plant Key plants

13 Key pests Anticipated pests each season based on plant species present Generalists: feed on many hosts Specialists: specific plants Opportunists: problem on stressed plants

14 Chewers Beetles Caterpillars Sawfly larvae Grasshoppers

15 Suckers Aphids Scales Psyllids Mealybugs Spittle bugs Plant bugs Whiteflies Planthoppers Leafhoppers Treehoppers Lacebugs Stinkbugs Thrips Mites

16 Distorters Cicadas Gall makers Leafminers

17 Correct identification!

18 Correct identification!

19 Decision levels how many pests are too many? Economic injury Aesthetic Injury

20 Economic Injury Level Used in agriculture since 1959 Determining when pest population increases to the level that their control is justified to protect the crop s profits

21 Economic injury on school grounds Plant mortality Unsafe conditions Loose, bumpy turf Hazard trees

22 Aesthetic Injury Level The pest density capable of causing enough damage to the appearance of the plant to justify the use of one or more management strategies.

23 Aesthetic injury on school grounds Less than desired appearance (internal) Complaints about appearance (external)

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26 Why Monitor? Yearly occurrence of pests varies Pests with multiple generations Gain information on presence & activity of natural enemies Proper timing for management efforts

27 Downside of monitoring Labor intensive Knowledge intensive

28 Monitoring approaches 1. Visual inspection of plants 2. Use passive trapping devices 3. Heat accumulation indices 4. Phenological indicators

29 Keep good records!

30 Management Strategies Prevention Mechanical control Biological control Curative pesticide Preventive pesticide

31 Prevention Strategies aka Cultural Controls Right species for the site Selection based on host tolerance, resistance to pests Healthy plants- watering, prescriptive fertilization Correct use of mulch Corrective pruning

32 Pros & Cons: Prevention Pros: Reduced insecticide use Decreased incidence of pests Cons: Planning prior to planting Required tolerance of pests Labor intensive

33 Bronze Birch Borer

34 Mechanical Strategies Water washes Protective netting Handpicking Prune off small clusters

35 Pros & Cons: Mechanical Pros: Reduced insecticide use Cons: Timely discovery Labor intensive Not possible for all pests, plants

36 Spruce Spider Mite

37 Japanese Beetle

38 Biological Control Using a pest s natural enemies to control the pest Need to be able to recognize pest and beneficial insects

39 Natural Enemies Wasp parasitoids

40 Natural Enemies Real Bugs

41 Natural Enemies Lady Beetles

42 Natural Enemies Lacewings

43 Biological Control Strategies Conserve natural enemies Identify beneficials present Decrease pesticide use Plant species to attract Augment natural populations with new introductions Sprays of biological agents BT Viruses

44 Pros & Cons: BioControl Pros: Nature handles pest problem Selective Long-lived Cons: Delayed or reduced control Knowledge intensive Careful choice of pesticides

45 Pine Needle Scale

46 Curative Pesticide Application Judicious pesticide use against vulnerable stage of pest Predetermined threshold values met Use of IPM aids for timing Use biorational pesticides first (soap, oils, Neem, Conserve) Use traditional pesticide (Astro, Mavrik, Sevin, Talstar)

47 Pros & Cons: Curative Sprays Pros: Use only if needed Spot treatments possible Reduced insecticide use Cons: Timely, thorough monitoring Late discovery = disaster Some pests, damage must be tolerated

48 Yellownecked Caterpillar Late instar Early instars

49 Pine Needle Scale Crawlers

50 Preventive Pesticide Application Judicious pesticide use against anticipated pest Pesticide applied in plenty of time to be active when and if pest population develops Use of contact or systemic products with longer residual

51 Pros & Cons: Preventive Spray Pros: Protection of high value sites Less reliance on monitoring Cons: Treatment prior to problem Wall to wall application Greatest insecticide use

52 Birch Leafminer

53 Bronze birch borer

54 School Landscape IPM Not high budget priority Improve ornamental function, beauty, & safety Communicate w/ specialists, develop knowledge base Excellent community project

55 PESP Landscape Pilot Program 5 schools in Iowa 2004 and 2005 seasons Identify ornamentals Identify plant needs Examine current landscape pest management efforts Turfgrass component