Approaches to Integrated Pest Management in Orchards: Comstockaspis perniciosa (Comstock) Case Study

Insect pests have major effects on agricultural production and food supply. Pest control in conventional crop management in orchards is mainly based on agrochemicals, which entails economic, health and environmental costs. Other approaches, such as biological methods or products based on biologically active substances and sex pheromones used for mating disruption, have faced some implementation challenges, particularly in relation to invasive insect species. The key for appropriate insect pest management is to identify the species and understand its biology and behaviour. Pest management systems should monitor, detect and inform fruit growers about changes in insect distribution, population ecology, possible damage level and economic loses. Comstockaspis perniciosa (San Jose scale-SJS) is a model example of a pest against which the method of integrated pest management should be adopted. This review presents a case study to support this statement.

Automated summary

Insect pests have significant impacts on agriculture and food supply. Traditional pest control methods in orchards rely heavily on chemical pesticides, which come with economic, health, and environmental costs. Alternative approaches, such as biological methods and the use of biologically active substances and sex pheromones, have faced challenges in implementation, especially with invasive insect species. Proper insect pest management requires species identification and understanding of its biology and behavior. Pest management systems should monitor and inform fruit growers about changes in insect distribution, population ecology, possible damage, and economic losses. Comstockaspis perniciosa (San Jose scale-SJS) serves as a model for the adoption of integrated pest management, as highlighted in this review.