Area-Wide Management for Pink Bollworm Population Suppression

• Thomas J. Henneberry
• Western Cotton Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 4135 East Broadway Road Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
• The Third International Conference onIPM Role in Integrated Crop management and Impacts on Environment and Agricultural Products. 26-29 November 2005, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

The pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the key pest in cotton, Gossypium spp., production areas in many cotton producing areas of the world. Continuing economic losses, social and environmental concerns about the focus on chemical control suggest the need for ecologically oriented PBW management. Research by many scientists has produced an array of monitoring, biological control, cultural, behavioral, genetic and host plant resistance methods for formulation of integrated PBW management systems. Cotton production areas have variable PBW population densities, differences in production methods, and differing social and environmental considerations. Targeted management areas may vary in need for some IPM components. Some criteria for consideration in the selection of IPM tactics are PBW biology, ecology, population density, crop production methods, and economic feasibility. The success of area-wide PBW management is highly dependent on participation in the planning, site selection, implementation, and assessment phases of the program by all segments of the agricultural community. A highly effective extension-education communication program is essential.