Optimizing search strategies for invasive pests: Learn before you leap

Strategic searching for invasive pests presents a formidable challenge for conservation managers. Limited funding can necessitate choosing between surveying many sites cursorily, or focussing intensively on fewer sites. While existing knowledge may help to target more likely sites, e.g. with species distribution models (maps), this knowledge is not flawless and improving it also requires management investment. 2.In a rare example of trading-off action against knowledge gain, we combine search coverage and accuracy, and its future improvement, within a single optimisation framework. More specifically we examine under which circumstances managers should adopt one of two search-and-control strategies (cursory or focussed), and when they should divert funding to improving knowledge, making better predictive maps that benefit future searches. 3.We use a family of Receiver Operating Characteristic curves to reflect the quality of maps that direct search efforts. We demonstrate our framework by linking these to a logistic model of invasive spread such as that for the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta in south-east Queensland, Australia. 4.Cursory widespread searching is only optimal if the pest is already widespread or knowledge is poor, otherwise focussed searching exploiting the map is preferable. For longer management timeframes, eradication is more likely if funds are initially devoted to improving knowledge, even if this results in a short-term explosion of the pest population. 5.Synthesis and applications. By combining trade-offs between knowledge acquisition and utilization, managers can better focus - and justify - their spending to achieve optimal results in invasive control efforts. This framework can improve the efficiency of any ecological management that relies on predicting occurrence. © 2010 The Authors. Journal of Applied Ecology © 2010 British Ecological Society.

Subpopulation triage: How to allocate conservation effort among populations

Threatened species often exist in a small number of isolated subpopulations. Given limitations on conservation spending, managers must choose from strategies that range from managing just one subpopulation and risking all other subpopulations to managing all subpopulations equally and poorly, thereby risking the loss of all subpopulations. We took an economic approach to this problem in an effort to discover a simple rule of thumb for optimally allocating conservation effort among subpopulations. This rule was derived by maximizing the expected number of extant subpopulations remaining given n subpopulations are actually managed. We also derived a spatiotemporally optimized strategy through stochastic dynamic programming. The rule of thumb suggested that more subpopulations should be managed if the budget increases or if the cost of reducing local extinction probabilities decreases. The rule performed well against the exact optimal strategy that was the result of the stochastic dynamic program and much better than other simple strategies (e.g., always manage one extant subpopulation or half of the remaining subpopulation). We applied our approach to the allocation of funds in 2 contrasting case studies: reduction of poaching of Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and habitat acquisition for San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica). For our estimated annual budget for Sumatran tiger management, the mean time to extinction was about 32 years. For our estimated annual management budget for kit foxes in the San Joaquin Valley, the mean time to extinction was approximately 24 years. Our framework allows managers to deal with the important question of how to allocate scarce conservation resources among subpopulations of any threatened species. © 2008 Society for Conservation Biology.

Energy efficient home with price sensitive stochastically programmable TCAs

Introduction of dynamic pricing in present retail market, considerably affects customers with an increased cost of energy consumption. Therefore, customers are enforced to control their loads according to price variation. This paper proposes a new technique of Home Energy Management, which helps customers to minimize their cost of energy consumption by appropriately controlling their loads. Thermostatically Controllable Appliances (TCAs) such as air conditioner and water heater are focused in this study, as they consume more than 50% of the total household energy consumption. The control process includes stochastic dynamic programming, which incorporated uncertainties in price and demand variation. It leads to an accurate selection of appliance settings. It is followed by a real time control of selected appliances with its optimal settings. Temperature set points of TCAs are adjusted based on price droop which is a reflection of actual cost of energy consumption. Customer satisfaction is maintained within limits using constraint optimization. It is showed that considerable energy savings is achieved.

Utilizing the assassin bug, Pristhesancus plagipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), as a biological control agent within an integrated pest management programme for Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Creontiades spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) in cotton

Helicoverpa spp. and mirids, Creontiades spp., have been difficult to control biologically in cotton due to their unpredictable temporal abundance combined with a cropping environment often made hostile by frequent usage of broad spectrum insecticides. To address this problem, a range of new generation insecticides registered for use in cotton were tested for compatibility with the assassin bug, Pristhesancus plagipennis (Walker), a potential biological control agent for Helicoverpa spp. and Creontiades spp. Indoxacarb, pyriproxifen, buprofezin, spinosad and fipronil were found to be of low to moderate toxicity on P. plagipennis whilst emamectin benzoate, abamectin, diafenthiuron, imidacloprid and omethaote were moderate to highly toxic. Inundative releases of P. plagipennis integrated with insecticides identified as being of low toxicity were then tested and compared with treatments of P. plagipennis and the compatible insecticides used alone, conventionally sprayed usage practice and an untreated control during two field experiments in cotton. The biological control provided by P. plagipennis nymphs when combined with compatible insecticides provided significant (P<0.001) reductions in Helicoverpa and Creontiades spp. on cotton and provided equivalent yields to conventionally sprayed cotton with half of the synthetic insecticide input. Despite this, the utilization of P. plagipennis in cotton as part of an integrated pest management programme remains unlikely due to high inundative release costs relative to other control technologies such as insecticides and transgenic (Bt) cotton varieties.

An overview of integrated pest management (IPM) in north-eastern Australian grain farming systems: Past, present and future prospects

The authors overview integrated pest management (IPM) in grain crops in north-eastern Australia, which is defined as the area north of latitude 32°S. Major grain crops in this region include the coarse grains (winter and summer cereals), oilseeds and pulses. IPM in these systems is complicated by the diversity of crops, pests, market requirements and cropping environments. In general, the pulse crops are at greatest risk, followed by oilseeds and then by cereal grains. Insecticides remain a key grain pest management tool in north-eastern Australia. IPM in grain crops has benefited considerably through the increased adoption of new, more selective insecticides and biopesticides for many caterpillar pests, in particular Helicoverpa spp. and loopers, and the identification of pest-crop scenarios where spraying is unnecessary (e.g. for most Creontiades spp. populations in soybeans). This has favoured the conservation of natural enemies in north-eastern Australia grain crops, and has arguably assisted in the management of silverleaf whitefly in soybeans in coastal Queensland. However, control of sucking pests and podborers such as Maruca vitrata remains a major challenge for IPM in summer pulses. Because these crops have very low pest-damage tolerances and thresholds, intervention with disruptive insecticides is frequently required, particularly during podfill. The threat posed by silverleaf whitefly demands ongoing multi-pest IPM research, development and extension as this pest can flare under favourable seasonal conditions, especially where disruptive insecticides are used injudiciously. The strong links between researchers and industry have facilitated the adoption of IPM practices in north-eastern Australia and augers well for future pest challenges and for the development and promotion of new and improved IPM tactics.

Host-plant resistance and biopesticides: Ingredients for successful integrated pest management (IPM) in Australian sorghum production

There are two major pests of sorghum in Australia, the sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett), and the corn earworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). During the past 10 years the management of these pests has undergone a revolution, due principally to the development of sorghum hybrids with resistance to sorghum midge. Also contributing has been the adoption of a nucleopolyhedrovirus for the management of corn earworm. The practical application of these developments has led to a massive reduction in the use of synthetic insecticides for the management of major pests of sorghum in Australia. These changes have produced immediate economic, environmental and social benefits. Other flow-on benefits include providing flexibility in planting times, the maintenance of beneficial arthropods and utilisation of sorghum as a beneficial arthropod nursery, a reduction in midge populations and a reduction in insecticide resistance development in corn earworm. Future developments in sorghum pest management are discussed.

Managing parthenium weed across diverse landscapes: prospects and limitations

Parthenium is a weed of global significance affecting many countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Parthenium causes severe human and animal health problems, agricultural losses as well as serious environmental problems. Management options for parthenium include chemical, physical, legislative, fire, mycoherbicides, agronomic practices, competitive displacement and classical biological control. The ability of parthenium to grow in a wide range of habitats, its persistent seed bank, and its allelopathic potential make its management difficult. No single management option would be adequate to manage parthenium across all habitats, and there is a need to integrate various management options (e.g. grazing management, competitive displacement, cultural practices) with classical biological control as a core management option.

Management of plant invasions mediated by frugivore interactions

1. Some of the most damaging invasive plants are dispersed by frugivores and this is an area of emerging importance in weed management. It highlights the need for practical information on how frugivores affect weed population dynamics and spread, how frugivore populations are affected by weeds and what management recommendations are available. 2. Fruit traits influence frugivore choice. Fruit size, the presence of an inedible peel, defensive chemistry, crop size and phenology may all be useful traits for consideration in screening and eradication programmes. By considering the effect of these traits on the probability, quality and quantity of seed dispersal, it may be possible to rank invasive species by their desirability to frugivores. Fruit traits can also be manipulated with biocontrol agents. 3. Functional groups of frugivores can be assembled according to broad species groupings, and further refined according to size, gape size, pre- and post-ingestion processing techniques and movement patterns, to predict dispersal and establishment patterns for plant introductions. 4. Landscape fragmentation can increase frugivore dispersal of invasives, as many invasive plants and dispersers readily use disturbed matrix environments and fragment edges. Dispersal to particular landscape features, such as perches and edges, can be manipulated to function as seed sinks if control measures are concentrated in these areas. 5. Where invasive plants comprise part of the diet of native frugivores, there may be a conservation conflict between control of the invasive and maintaining populations of the native frugivore, especially where other threats such as habitat destruction have reduced populations of native fruit species. 6. Synthesis and applications. Development of functional groups of frugivore-dispersed invasive plants and dispersers will enable us to develop predictions for novel dispersal interactions at both population and community scales. Increasingly sophisticated mechanistic seed dispersal models combined with spatially explicit simulations show much promise for providing weed managers with the information they need to develop strategies for surveying, eradicating and managing plant invasions. Possible conservation conflicts mean that understanding the nature of the invasive plant-frugivore interaction is essential for determining appropriate management.

Control techniques and management strategies for the problematic Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus)

Navua sedge, a member of the Cyperaceae family, is an aggressive weed of pastures in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomons, and Tahiti and is now a weed of pastures and roadsides in north Queensland, Australia. Primarily restricted to areas with an annual rainfall exceeding 2500 mm, Navua sedge is capable of forming dense stands smothering many tropical pasture species. Seventeen herbicides were field tested at three sites in north Queensland, with glyphosate, halosulfuron, hexazinone, imazapic, imazapyr, or MSMA the most effective for Navua sedge control. Environmental problems such as persistence in soil, lack of selectivity and movement off-site may occur using some herbicides at the predicted LC90 control level rates. A seasonality trial using halosulfuron (97.5 g ai/ha) gave better Navua sedge control (84%) spraying March to September than spraying at other times (50%). In a frequency trial, sequential glyphosate applications (2,160 g ae/ha) every two months was more effective for continued Navua sedge control (67%) than a single application of glyphosate (36%), though loss of ground cover would occur. In a management trial, single applications of glyphosate (2,160 to 3,570 g ae/ha) using either a rope wick, ground foliar spraying or a rotary rope wick gave 59 to 73% control, while other treatments (rotary hoe (3%), slashing (-13%) or crushing (-30%)) were less effective. In a second management trial, four monthly rotary wick applications were much more effective (98%) than four monthly crushing applications (42%). An effective management plan must include the application of regular herbicide treatments to eliminate Navua sedge seed being added to the soil seed bank. Treatments that result in seed burial, for example, discing are likely to prolong seed persistence and should be avoided. The sprouting activity of vegetative propagules and root fragmentation needs to also be considered when selecting control options.

Integrated Pest Management in Ornamentals: Information Guide. Horticulture Series: Agrilink,your growing guide to better farming.

Each Agrilink kit has been designed to be both comprehensive and practical. As the kits are arranged to answer questions of increasing complexity, they are useful references for both new and experienced producers of specific crops. Agrilink integrates the technology of horticultural production with the management of horticultural enterprises. REPRINT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ! For updated information please call 13 25 23 or visit the website www.daff.qld.gov.au (Select: Queensland Industries – Agriculture link) This publication has been reprinted as a digital book without any changes to the content published in 2000. We advise readers to take particular note of the areas most likely to be out-of-date and so requiring further research: see detailed information on first page of the kit. Even with these limitations we believe this information kit provides important and valuable information for intending and existing growers. This publication was last revised in 2000. The information is not current and the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed by the State of Queensland. This information has been made available to assist users to identify issues involved in integrated pest management in ornamentals. This information is not to be used or relied upon by users for any purpose which may expose the user or any other person to loss or damage. Users should conduct their own inquiries and rely on their own independent professional advice. While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this publication.

Refining Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of eggfruit caterpillar

Investigations into pheromone monitoring and efficacy of insecticides to improve Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of eggfruit caterpillar.

Development and promotion of Integrated Pest Management strategies for Silverleaf whitefly in vegetables

This final report ‘Development and promotion of IPM strategies for silverleaf whitefly in vegetables’ summarises the research and extension into development and implementation of IPM programs for silverleaf whitefly in vegetables. Chemical and biologicontrol for Silverleaf Whitefly in pumpkin, brassica, bean and sweet potatoes.

Integrated pest management and supply chain improvement for mangoes in the Philippines and Australia

This project will incorporate two strategies for improving industry sustainability in the Philippines and Australia: (a) developing improved field management and quarantine monitoring and detection of mango pests and diseases; and (b) working with selected mango supply chains to identify and test areas for improvement.

Integrated crop management for brassica production

Early season beneficials in brassica crops.

Area Wide Integrated Pest Management for Bundaberg regional production horticulture

Regional implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Bundaberg production horticulture providing a unified approach to pest and disease control on an area-wide basis. This is aimed at reducing chemical dependency, increasing sustainability, profitability and enhancing biodiversity through detailed investigations, technology application, coordination, monitoring, communication and education.