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WATER QUALITY AND USE: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT [continued]

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  MG Manual Reference
Ch. 16, pp. 15 - 16

[Intergrated Pest Management: ipm | example | cultural | biological ]

EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CARRY OUT AN IPM PROGRAM IN YOUR YARDTop

You notice neat circles are being cut from your rose leaves and the only insects you find are some torpedo-shaped black beetles in the flowers. Are these causing the problem?
1. First you have the beetles identified.

You find they are flower beetles that feed on pollen and are not considered to be a pest. You have saved yourself time and money by not spraying for a harmless insect (or one which may even be beneficial).
2. Then you begin to monitor the plant closely.

An IPM professional in an agricultural crop would set up traps or take samples with an insect net. You might watch the plant closely for short periods several times a week.

Soon you notice a small bee cutting out pieces of leaf. You have it identified. It is a leaf-cutting bee. Leaf-cutting bees do not sting unless trapped or threatened, and are important pollinators of crops, flowers, fruits and vegetables.
3. Now you need to find out whether control is necessary.

Upon further investigation, you find out that chemical control is not necessary because the plant can tolerate pieces missing from its leaves. If appearance is critical to you, then you might want to consider a form of mechanical control, and cover your roses with cheesecloth or other barrier. You also might want to consider lowering your standards once you learn about how interesting and beneficial leaf-cutting bees are.
4. Make copies of relevant materials and start a file on insect pests you encounter.

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