Specialist and generalist phytoseiid mites are widely used for biological
control of spider mites. Understanding dispersal attributes of these mites is
important to implementing more stable, cost-efficient integrated pest management.
In this regard, we studied dispersal of phytoseiid mites from a local ambulatory
phase of movement within a prey patch...
Computer decision aids can help integrate and apply diverse sources of information and expertise to problems of integrated pest management (IPM) in agriculture and forestry. AppleMgr combines a rule-based expert system with databases and spreadsheets in a prototype decision aid intended to be expanded and modified for use by extension...
Landscape heterogeneity is thought to differ among farm management types (i.e. organic and conventional), and this difference is hypothesized to result in variations in pest control by natural enemies. However, it is unclear if these variations in pest control are driven by landscape structure or by farm management practices themselves....
During summer of 1998 and 1999, 34 and 10 vineyard sites, respectively, were sampled to assess spider mite pests and associated biological control by phytoseiid mites. Vineyards studied spanned five major valleys in western Oregon where grape production occurs. Leaf samples were taken from site perimeters and centers. One leaf...