Field Vegetables – March 2020

Forward planning – pest monitoring

With strict treatment protocols being demanded by supermarkets and consumers, the role of pest monitoring in determining whether an insecticide treatment is justified is an important tool in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of vegetable pests.  The correct timing of insecticide treatments can be crucial in achieving effective and economic pest management, particularly in light of insecticide resistance issues, and with the range of insecticides available diminishing, monitoring of pests on crops can give an extra edge for the crop in terms of marketability.

Potentially damaging pests such as cabbage root fly, aphids, carrot fly, slugs, cutworms, caterpillars can all be monitored for their appearance on crops and whether they are approaching treatment thresholds.  Seek advice from your agricultural advisor or agronomist if a problem becomes apparent.

Find out more about Integrated Pest Management here, or read TN725 – Integrated Pest Management