Selective vs. Broad-Spectrum Pesticides: When Do Private Decisions Differ from Socially Optimal Decisions?

This paper examines the spatial externalities of conventional and organic pest control methods to determine if, and how, the two types affect each other. These interactions make the problem more complicated than the usual analysis of a single externality. The numerical simulation model includes one organically managed and one conventionally managed field. One pest and one predator of the pest move between the two fields over five seasons. In each season, the conventional grower has the option of applying a broad-spectrum pesticide that kills the predator a selective pesticide that has no adverse effects on the predator but is either more expensive or less effective than the broad-spectrum pesticide. The organic grower can apply an organic pesticide, augment the predator population, or both. The simulation model identifies the socially optimal pest control decisions and the Nash equilibrium decisions of both growers over the five growing seasons. The relative price and efficacy of the selective pesticide, the type of predator, and the type of pest introduction all influence whether or not either or both growers make inefficient decisions. Under certain conditions, regional pest management, equivalent to coordination of pest control across growers, could increase total regional profits.spatial-dynamic games, spatial externalities, non-cooperative games, organic agriculture, biological control, agricultural policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, C61, C72, Q18, Q52, Q57,

Harnessing enforcement leverage at the border to minimize biological risk from international live species trade

Allocating inspection resources over a diverse set of imports to prevent entry of plant pests and pathogens presents a substantial policy design challenge. We model inspections of live plant imports and producer responses to inspections using a “state-dependent” monitoring and enforcement model. We capture exporter abatement response to a set of feasible inspection policies from the regulator. Conditional on this behavioral response, we solve the regulator’s problem of selecting the parameters for the state-dependent monitoring regime to minimize entry of infested shipments. We account for exporter heterogeneity, fixed penalties for noncompliance, imperfect abatement control and imperfect inspections at the border. Overall, we estimate that state-dependent targeting (based on historical interceptions) cuts the rate of infested shipments that are accepted by one-fifth, relative to uniformly allocated inspections

Potential of pesticide reduction and effects on pests, weeds, yield and net return in winter rye (Secale cereale L.)

Reducing the intensity of pesticide use is a societal and political issue. One way to realize this is to reduce the dose of applied pesticides. The impact of strict dose reductions on yield and net return in winter rye was examined in a longterm field trial at the experimental field of the Julius Kühn Institute in Dahnsdorf (Brandenburg) over a 13-year period (2004-2016). Pesticide treatments included a situation-related strategy (100% strategy) and two other strategies in which the doses were reduced by 25% and 50% compared to the 100% strategy. Treatment decisions were based on control thresholds in the 100% strategy. Fungal pathogens and weeds occurred in all years and had to be controlled. Insect pests were negligible. Averaged over all years, there was a significant difference of 4% in yield between the 100% strategy and the 50% strategy. In contrast, no differences were found in terms of net return. There was also no accumulation of weeds in the reduced strategies. This positive result is due to the close monitoring of the plots as well as the six-year crop rotation and shows that it is possible to reduce pesticide use in winter rye

Research collaboration between China and Denmark for development of systemic approaches to agro-ecological pest management without pesticides with focus on vegetable, fruit and berry crops. Proceedings and recommendations from two network workshops

This report is the result of a network project which was established to discuss the potential for collaboration on development of systemic approaches to pest management without pesticides between Chinese and Danish researchers. The focus is on systemic approaches rather than input substitution of synthetic chemicals with agents of natural origin, however, the latter is considered as an integrated tool for the development and design of systemic approaches. The discussions were, furthermore, limited to management of invertebrate pests as well as diseases, while other pests such as weeds have not been included in the discussions. The discussions took place at two workshops and were based on presentations of research from the two countries and field visits in China and Denmark. After the first workshop that took place in China, it was agreed that Chinese and Danish researchers in this particular field had mutual interests and priorities and that there was a potential for creating collaboration that could yield results beneficial for the agricultural/horticultural sectors in both countries. It was also agreed that in spite of the many differences between variation in climate and ecosystems, as well as in farming systems and their organization in China and Denmark, there were many similarities in the production of high-value crops in the two countries, such as vegetables, fruit and berries and, therefore, an obvious focus for joint research efforts. It was also agreed that joint research efforts could aim at specific crops as well as aiming at the development of specific research approaches. Based on the observations and the agreements of the first workshop, the second workshop, which took place in Denmark, focused more specifically on the development of a research framework with specified research questions/topics. Two groups were formed – one working with vegetables and one with fruit and berries working in parallel – both looking into what kind of research is needed for development of systemic approaches to pesticide-free pest management should include both well-known practices and new practices. Although the discussions in the two groups took separate routes and unfolded and described the research topics in each their way, there was a clear consistency between the outputs of the work of the two groups. Each had identified three main research themes that more or less followed the same line and has been merged into three specific recommendations on themes for collaboration, namely: 1) ‘Research to provide the biological foundation and understanding of mechanisms and interactions for development of non-chemical solutions and to improve efficiency of new and existing control methods for severe pest problems’. 2) Research in ‘How best to integrate multifunctional plants (and crops) and use diversification to create a more healthy and productive farming system which is resilient to pests?’ 3) Research in ‘How to design and integrate pest management in eco-functional cropping systems at field and farm/landscape level?

The Economics of Terrestrial Invasive Species: A Review of the Literature

This paper reviews the literature on the economics of invasive species management as it applies to invasive species in general and terrestrial invasive species in particular. The paper summarizes a number of recent studies that assign values to the economic impact of terrestrial invasive species on a national scale. This is followed by a review of the economic literature on control and prevention of a biological invasion and the literature on international trade and trade policy with invasive species. The paper then reviews selected studies on terrestrial invasive plants, animals, and microbes, respectively.terrestrial invasive species, prevention, control, international trade, bioeconomic, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Sub-lethal effects of lufenuron exposure on spotted bollworm Earias vittella (Fab): key biological traits and detoxification enzymes activity

Spotted bollworm, Earias vittella, is one of the most serious and devastating insect pests of vegetables and cotton. Currently, insecticides are necessary for its control in nearly all crop systems. In this paper, we evaluate the sub-lethal effects of lufenuron on biological traits and activity of detoxification enzymes: cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, esterase, and glutathione Stranseferase (GST) in second instar larvae of E. vittella. Results showed that sub-lethal concentrations (LC15 and LC40 of lufenuron), prolonged larval period (at LC40 = 13.86 ± 1.22 day, LC15 = 13.14 ± 1.15 day, control = 12.28 ± 0.7), pupal duration (LC40 = 11.1 ± day, LC15 = 11.8 ± 0.28 day, control = 9.40 ± 0.52), and extended mean generation time (LC40 = 27.3 ± 0.43 LC15 = 29.0 ± 1.19 day, control = 26.0 ± 0.65). Sub-lethal exposure significantly prolonged the pre-adult stage, decreased pupal weight, and reduced adult longevity in the parent (F0) and F1 generation. Moreover, the fecundity and egg viability were significantly lowered in parental and F1 generations at both sub-lethal concentrations compared to the control. While no significant effects were noted on reproductive parameters such as the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproduction rate (R0) of F1 generation when compared to the control. Only mean generation time (T) in F1 at LC15 was significantly longer compared to the LC40 and control (LC40 = 3.79 ± 0.37, LC15 = 32.28 ± 1.55 day, control = 29.79 ± 0.55). Comparatively, the activities of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and esterase were higher than GST in treated populations. The increase in resistance development against insecticides may possibly because of elevated activity of detoxification enzymes. These results provide useful information for monitoring resistance in integrated pest management (IPM) programs for E. vittella

Dual Biological Control: Characterization of Fungi and Bacteria to Control Granary Weevil and Fungal Pathogens of Stored Grain

Cereals are main food sources for humans and animals. However, during storage, cereal grains can be infested by insects and fungi. One of the most important insect storage pests is Sitophilus granarius (L., Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Adults and larvae can cause serious grain losses. In addition to insect pests, fungal pathogens may also invade the grain and cause economic loss, including contamination with mycotoxins, which threaten mammal health by causing serious disease. The most common mycotoxigenic grain fungi are species that belong to the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Currently, the most commonly used management strategies for insect and fungal storage pests are based on conventional pesticides and cultural methods. However, there is a need for alternatives to conventional pesticides due to their side effects, insecticide resistance, and consumer demand for uncontaminated food. Cultural methods may not be cost-effective or practical in all storage facilities. Moreover, both insect and fungal pests share the same niche and have possible interactions with each other that increase economic losses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find potential biocontrol agents that showed dual biocontrol effect against granary weevil and three common fungal pests in stored grain. We determined that two fungal isolates (Trichoderma gamsii E1032 and E1064) and one bacterial isolate (B. amyloliquefaciens C415) achieved dual control against both the insect pest and the fungal pathogens by causing mortality of S. granarius and suppression of three grain fungal pathogens. In addition, a specific aim of this study was the examination of lethal and sublethal effects on S. granarius. Metarhizium anisopliae E213 showed strong sublethal effect by reducing ovipositio rate and grain infestation additionally, Cladosporium halotolerans E126 minimally reduced oviposition rate yet was significantly different from negative control. Also, all tested bacterial treatments had significantly lower survival than the negative control. And, Bacillus thuringiensis C423 showed strong sublethal effect by reducing feeding damage and oviposition rate. Additionally, candidate biocontrol agents were tested against grain fungal pathogens with two different method, antibiosis and wheat seed bioassays, to confirm performance of the effective isolate on the real stored grain. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Lysobacter enzymogenes, and Burkholderia ambifaria demonstrated the highest antifungal activity. This study demonstrates dual biocontrol against insect and fungal pests, which has potential as a component of Integrated Pest Management strategies for stored grain. Advisors: Julie A. Peterson & Sydney E. Everhar

BIORATIONAL INSECTICIDE ADOPTION AND CONVENTIONAL INSECTICIDE USE: A SIMULTANEOUS, LIMITED DEPENDENT VARIABLE MODEL

Using data reporting section-level pesticide use for all of Arizona, this study estimates how early-season adoption of new biorational insecticides reduced subsequent broad-spectrum insecticide applications in cotton. The two-stage econometric model accounts for the endogeneity and censoring of the adoption intensity variable. One biorational application substituted for 3.66 broad-spectrum applications.Crop Production/Industries,

Inert Gases in the Control of Museum Insect Pests

Describes in detail the techniques, materials, and operating parameters of successful insect eradication procedures developed at the Getty Conservation Institute and elsewhere